Nursery Company Starts Wildfire; Ticketed for Burning Garbage

On Friday, January 3, 2025 at about 2:15 pm, Forest Ranger Lieutenant Yuka Ashida and Ranger Joseph Pries responded to a call about a reported wildfire behind Petersen’s Patterson Greenhouses in Patterson, Putnam County, NY.
Ranger Pries determined an ember had likely blown from a burn pile at the nursery and started the wildland fire in a swampy area behind the business. Rangers Cowart, Parlier, and Rusher joined the suppression efforts.
On January 4 at about 3:45 pm, Rangers had the one-acre fire 50 percent contained. The following morning, the fire was fully contained and put into patrol status.
While the business had a burning permit from the town, upon inspecting the burn pile, Rangers found household garbage including a couch, polystyrene, and spray cans. Environmental Conservation Police Officer Franz issued a ticket for unlawful disposal of solid waste.
Read about past Forest Ranger missions here.
Photo of Petersen’s Patterson Greenhouses wildfire provided by DEC.
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