By Polly Mikula
UPDATE May 16 at 8 a.m.: Fire continues to expand reaching closer to the top of the hillside (see video courtesy of Murry McGrath, Killington Rescue.)
In the late afternoon on May 15 police and fire personnel were alerted to a forest fire off Route 4 in Killington. Smoke could be seen rising up the south hillside behind the (former) Kokopelis Inn, just west of Goodro lumber.
A small river blocked access to a logging road.
The fire was reportedly started by new owners of the land where were logging and burning brush (despite a state advisory by the Dept. of Forests, Parks & Rec to postpone all outdoor burning until May 30, due to dry conditions). They did not have a burn permit. A passerby called in the incident.
Crews from multiple towns providing mutual aid joined Killington Fire and Rescue crews. ATVs carrying water, hoses, people and supplies were able to crossed the river and head up the mountain toward the multiple blazes. Firefighters hoped to create a fire barrier that would contain the spread.
No buildings were thought be in jeopardy as a result of the blazes.
The Killington Forest Fire continued to expand Sunday morning, nearly cresting the hilltop.
Hopefully those who started the fire will be criminally charged and/or fined if indeed they were burning without a permit.
It’s getting out of control