Forest rangers and firefighters continue to battle the massive wildfire that’s been burning in Minnewaska State Park Preserve in Ulster County since Saturday. Gov. Kathy Hochul announced the New York National Guard was deploying two Black Hawk helicopters capable of dropping 600 gallons of water to help ​battle the wildfire in Ulster County.

First responders have been battling the fire for four days. Despite their efforts, it continued to grow from 30 acres on Monday to an estimated 130 to 150 acres on Tuesday.

Over 200 wildland firefighters and volunteers, including forest rangers and local firefighters, are working on the ground to fight the flames. Four New York State Police helicopters are conducting air drops.

As of Tuesday afternoon, Ulster County officials estimated the fire was 15% contained.

What You Need To Know

  • If you see a wildfire, call 911 immediately

  • The New York National Guard deployed two Black Hawk helicopters to help fire suppression Tuesday

  • Over 200 firefighters, forest rangers, volunteers and other first responders are on the ground fighting the growing blaze

According to Ulster County Executive Pat Ryan, a new fire developed at Minnewaska State Park Preserve on Monday. In response, authorities closed all access points to the park Tuesday until further notice.

State parks staff were seen directing disappointed visitors away from the Sam’s Point entrance Tuesday morning.

Labor Day is considered the start to fall camping season. According to the RV Industry Association, more than 25 million households plan to camp over Labor Day weekend.

"Normally in the season, we would have a nice fire going, but this season, no," said camper Carrie Durante.

Durante has been camping at the Mountaindale Park and Campground for three years.

"We can hear the fire alarm go off in town, so we hear that and it's been very dry here, not a lot of rain, so we have to be very careful with what we do," said Durante.

With the wildfires in Sullivan County and Ulster County this week and the dry conditions, she’s playing it safe this year.

"I haven’t used it this season actually," Durante said, pointing to her fire pit. "Cobwebs are growing around it, I don’t want to do anything that would spark something."

The state Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) on Tuesday shared a video on Twitter about how to put out campfires. It's asking New Yorkers to use campfire rings where available, build campfires away from overhanging branches, logs and other dry vegetation and never leave a campfire unattended.

"We can control what we do here to prevent something from happening, so we just have to be very cautious," said Durante.

Ulster County officials said anyone with Minnewaska State Park Preserve reservations for the Labor Day weekend will be refunded.

DEC is holding a community meeting with forest rangers, volunteers and members of the Ulster County Department of Emergency Services at the Ellenville Junior/Senior High School Auditorium at 28 Maple Ave., at 7 p.m. Tuesday.

Residents can ask questions about the fire response.​