May 02, 2006 — A Lake George fire official says a blaze that ripped through the tourist village over the weekend might have been contained if a gift shop owner hadn't removed his sprinkler system. Martha Foley has more.  Go to full article

May 01, 2006 — A six-alarm fire consumed five businesses along the main street in the Adirondack tourist village of Lake George Saturday. Police say nobody was hurt in the blaze, which started in a gift shop at about 9 in the morning. Building co-owner Nick Cholakis said sprinklers were removed about 10 years ago because they kept malfunctioning during the winter. More than 50 firefighters from six local companies fought the fast moving fire. There was extensive damage. The cause is under investigation but is believed to be electrical. Fire chief Bruce Kilburn told the Glens Falls Post Star that he thinks the fire was -- quote -- purely accidental.
The shops had extra inventory in anticipation of the start of the summer tourist season next month. Bob Lagas is co-owner of Bob's Ice Cream Shop, on Canada St. He spoke with Brian Mann this morning.  Go to full article

Apr 21, 2006 — Fire destroyed a remote camp on Upper St. Regis Lake Thursday, ravaging at least ten structures. The camp was owned by Ransom and Judy Duncan. There were no injuries, but fire crews from Paul Smiths and 18 other departments had to be ferried to the scene by boat. It's unclear how the fire began. An investigation is underway. Chris Knight reports.  Go to full article

Mar 30, 2006 — Local fire squads and New York state forest rangers across the North Country have responded to more than a hundred grass and forest fires this spring. Light rain, combined with a thin snow pack and high winds have left many areas tinder dry. Fire experts say most of the wildfires have been triggered by burn barrels or by people setting fire to chaff in their fields. A ban on open burning went into effect yesterday in St. Lawrence County. Fire officials in the rest of the region are strongly discouraging people from setting open flames. Brian Mann has details.  Go to full article

Dec 16, 2005 — A column of black smoke rose over Lake Placid yesterday as part of a historic restaurant and resort burned to the ground. An apparent kitchen fire in an annex at the Lake Placid Lodge broke out some time after 9 o'clock. There were no injuries. The main structure also suffered smoke and water damage. The Lodge -- first built in 1882 -- was one of the Adirondacks' premier luxury hotels, attracting famous guests including Britney Spears and Bill Gates. As Brian Mann reports, the fire could leave some of the resort's employees out of work just as the busy holiday season gets underway.  Go to full article

Dec 16, 2005 — Artists around the north country are mourning the loss of the Lake Placid Lodge. Martha Foley has more.  Go to full article

Oct 21, 2005 — Last month, an arsonist set fire to another historic hunting cabin owned by the Adirondack League Club in Old Forge. The Club owns more than fifty thousand acres in Hamilton and Herkimer Counties. The organization, with four hundred members, is seventh-largest landowner inside the blue line. Since 2000, six of their most remote cabins have burned mysteriously. The Club's general manager, Egan Willard, spoke with Brian Mann. He says there have been two attacks this year.

Anyone with information can call the state police in Herkimer at 315-866-7275. State police and the Department of Environmental Conservation are also investigating an unrelated case of possible arson in Franklin County, where two bridges were damaged on the former Champion timberlands.  Go to full article

Jul 29, 2005 — 21 New York forest rangers and assistant forest rangers returned late last night from northern Quebec. They spent the last two weeks helping to fight dozens of wild fires that have burned nearly two million acres in the region around James Bay. The New York crew included veteran firefighters from across the north country. Brian Mann spoke with Rob Praczkajlo, a forest ranger based in Jay.  Go to full article

Jul 15, 2005 — One of the biggest Watertown fires in recent memory took place earlier this month. It started at a machine shop at the former Black Cawson site. The oil-soaked old warehouse burned so hot that it melted fire hoses and burned for two days. Firefighters spent from July 2nd to July 4th at the scene.

During those two days, some firefighters took photographs of the fire. The photos were posted to a firefighters' website, where they attracted attention from the public. Now Watertown Fire Chief Daniel Gaumont has banned all firefighters from taking casual photos at fire scenes. He spoke to Gregory Warner about why.  Go to full article

Apr 19, 2005 — Franklin County is the latest to issue a ban on burning trash or debris outdoors. St. Lawrence and Jefferson Counties also have bans in place. Nearly two weeks with little or no rainfall and lots of sun have led to hundreds of brush fires across the North Country. Volunteer fire departments are being stretched thin. David Sommerstein reports.  Go to full article