Rockland County Considers Launching Criminal Investigation into CSX Over Brush Fires. Roughly 50 to 70 Acres Across Rockland County Burned
Rockland County Executive Ed Day recently announced that the county is launching an official criminal investigation into CSX, the transportation company potentially responsible for the brush fires that have affected the area on April 14, 2023. The fires resulted in the loss of approximately 50 to 70 acres and incurred thousands of dollars in damages.
“Not only were residents’ lives put at risk, but also those of volunteer firefighters, EMTs, and law enforcement personnel.” Day expressed his expectation for answers from CSX, stating that if they do not provide any, the county will find out through a criminal investigation.
Day and County Fire and Emergency Services Coordinator Chris Kear confirm Route 9W will remain closed through Sunday afternoon due to falling trees and rocks from Friday’s countywide brush fires.
Fires Spanned from Congers to Tomkins Cove
On Friday at around 2:15 p.m. about two dozen brush fires broke out from Congers to Tompkins Cove that preliminary reports indicate were ignited by sparks from a CSX train. No residents sustained any injuries, five firefighters suffered heat exhaustion, and one sustained a minor burn to their hand. All were evaluated at the scene and did not need transport to a hospital.
The fires consumed 50 to 70 acres across the County while damaging four homes in Congers from the heat melting siding, two sheds were destroyed, and several fences and vehicles were also damaged.
Witnesses have reported to News 12 that they saw sparks flying from one of the CSX tanker trains, with brush fires blazing along the train track route. The fires intensified in the afternoon when the wind picked up, causing more than 100 homes along Old Haverstraw Road to be voluntarily evacuated.
Some of the most severe damage was observed near Old Haverstraw Road. In one case, a home’s siding was completely melted, and its backyard, which borders protected wetlands, was heavily affected by the fire. The wetlands are home to foxes, turtles, snakes, rabbits, and deer.
Friday evening the focus shifted to extinguishing the flames along the mountains of Route 9W. The Rockland County Sheriff’s Office deployed drones with infrared cameras that assisted helicopters conducting water drops from above. Flames on the mountain significantly died down overnight and no water drops would be necessary Saturday.
Local Community and Neighboring Counties Band Together to Fight Rockland County Brush Fires
Rockland County received aid from both Westchester and Bergen Counties to fight the fires, with 26 fire departments working together at one point. Firefighters were still working to put out hot spots the following morning.
Neighbors also joined together to help combat the fires, running over with hoses to try and extinguish the flames. Homeowners in the area described the chaos, explaining how they connected hoses to spigots and did everything they could until the fire department arrived. One family lost much of their belongings stored in a shed during renovations.
Due to the firefighting efforts, Route 34 and 9W Northbound was closed for several hours. The water used to extinguish the fires created slick conditions and potential rockfall hazards, which as of Saturday 4/15/23 are still of concern. Local authorities advise residents to avoid the area for the time being.
CSX has since reopened all train traffic through Rockland County at a reduced speed through the Village of Haverstraw area.