Sam's Point and Minnewaska Closed Due to Wildfire

April 25, 2016
Sam's Point Preserve Staff
Office of Governor Andrew Cuomo

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Sam's Point and Minnewaska Closed Due to Wildfire

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The Sam’s Point Area of Minnewaska State Park Preserve will reopen to the public in a partial capacity on Saturday, May 28, 2016.

Sign up for updates and to learn more about rehabbing trails in Minnewaska and throughout the region.Sam's Point Fire April 2016


UPDATE: 8/1/2017

Trails connecting the Lake Minnewaska area to the Sam's Point area are now open.

The following trails are OPEN:

  • Scenic Trail from Verkeerder Kill Falls to Mud Pond
  • Verkeerder Kill Falls
  • High Point
  • South Gully
  • Berry Picker 
  • Indian Rock
  • Loop Road and High Point Carriage Road
  • Ice Caves 
  • High Point Trail from High Point Carriage Road to Berry Picker Trail
  • Smiley Carriage Road from High Point Carriage Road to Berry Picker Trail

Currently: Smiley Carriage Road remains closed for restoration from Berry Picker Trail to Lake Awosting

UPDATE 5/28/2016:

From Sam's Point Preserve Staff: The Sam’s Point Area of Minnewaska State Park Preserve will reopen to the public in a partial capacity on Saturday, May 28. The Sam’s Point Area has been closed since Sunday, April 24 after a wildfire ignited on the Verkeerderkill Falls trail on Saturday, April 23. The wildfire continued for five days, burning an area of 2,028 acres. The majority of the burn occurred in the globally rare ridgetop dwarf pitch pine barrens, which is a fire dependent community.

  • Trails OPEN within the Sam’s Point Area: Loop Road, Ice Caves Road, and Ice Caves Trail. The Sam’s Point Overlook and views of Lake Maratanza are both accessible via the Loop Road.

  • Trails CLOSED within the Sam’s Point Area: South Gullly, High Point Carriage Road, Indian Rock, High Point Footpath, and Verkeerder Kill Falls.

  • Trails connecting the Minnewaska area to the Sam's Point Area will remain CLOSED until further notice. Those trails are: Lower Mine Hole Trail, Mine Hole Road/Long Path, Scenic Trail, Smiley Carriage Road, and Stony Kill Carriage Road.

We ask that you please adhere to the posted trail closures for both safety and ecological reasons. A large disturbance to the environment, such as wildfire, greatly increases the risk of certain invasive species becoming established. Walking in burned areas may compact the soil or crush seedlings. Staying out of closed areas will help this globally rare ecosystem regenerate. All visitor cooperation is essential.
Several research and monitoring projects are happening within Sam’s Point to help us better understand this unique environment.

UPDATE 4/29: 

From NY State Parks & Historic Sites: Minnewaska will reopen to the public on Saturday, April 30 with the following restrictions:

Trails connecting the Lake Minnewaska area to the Sam's Point area will remain closed until further notice. Those closed trails are: Lower Mine Hole Trail, Mine Hole Road/Long Path, Scenic Trail, Smiley Carriage Road, Stony Kill Carriage Road, and South Gully Trail. A map of the affected area can be found here.

The entire Sam's Point area will remain closed until further notice.


UPDATE 4/28:

From NY State Parks & Historic Sites: The Sam’s Point wildfire is still active but now 60% contained. Both state and local emergency personnel continue to secure the remaining fire, which in total has consumed 1,897 acres.


UPDATE 4/27:

Sam's Point and Minnewaska State Park Preserve will remain closed until further notice. An estimated 2,000-3,000 acres have burned; the extent of the area affected can be seen in the graphic below. Fire operations are still ongoing. Check the Minnewaska website for updates.
 

Extent of the Wildfire in Sam's Point and Minnewaska as of April 28, 2016 (Click for larger image)

Sam’s Point Preserve and Minnewaska State Park Preserve remain closed today (April 25) due to a wildfire. 

Yesterday, Governor Andrew M. Cuomo directed additional state emergency personnel to the fire at Sam's Point near Ellenville in Ulster County. State and local first responders are working to build a perimeter around the blaze, which consumed approximately 300 acres as of April 24, and continues to move south in a narrow band within the Preserve. 

“State emergency personnel have been working around the clock to contain this wildfire and protect the safety of New Yorkers,” Governor Cuomo said in a press release. “We continue to work with all local partners to stop this fire in its tracks, and I urge residents to stay clear of the affected area and remain alert and informed.”  

Since the fire began Saturday, State Police helicopters have been completing water-dropping operations. The helicopters are equipped with “Bambi Buckets,” which can carry 250 gallons of water. The water is taken from local ponds or lakes and dropped on the hottest parts of the fire.  

According to the press release sent from Gov. Cuomo’s office, the following resources have been deployed to battle the blaze: 

NYS Resources:

  • NYS DEC/RANGERS: 14 personnel / 1 dozer
  • NYS OEM: One regional staff
  • NYS OFPC: Two regional staff
  • NYSP: One trooper / three helicopters (two for fire suppression and water drops) staged at Ellenville Airport, one on standby at Stewart for Medivac.
  • NYS Parks Mohonk Preserve: Four personnel
  • NYS Parks Minnewaska: 15 personnel

 County Resources:

  • Ulster County: One OEM / two fire personnel
  • Local Fire Departments: 13 departments (75 personnel)
  • EMS Mobile Life Support and Ellenville Rescue: Five personnel (four EMTs / one Medic)

Fire warnings across much of our region remain high risk due to dry conditions and rising temperatures. To view an updated map of fire danger ratings in New York, visit: http://www.dec.ny.gov/lands/68329.html.  

New Yorkers are reminded that a burn ban is in effect until May 14. 

Open burning of debris is the largest single cause of spring wildfires in New York State. When temperatures are warmer and grasses and leaves dry out, wildfires can start and spread easily and be further fueled by winds and the lack of green vegetation. Fires may start easily and could become dangerous if not extinguished while small.