Crews at the base of October Mountain. Smoke visible at the top of image. (PHOTO: Martin Miller)
Smoke from the fire visible from the Lee Outlets (PHOTO: Carole Somerville)
Smoke from the fire visible from Golden Hill Road in Lee (PHOTO: Carole Somerville)
Smoke from the fire visible from Golden Hill Road in Lee (PHOTO: Carole Somerville)LEE, Mass. -- Emergency personnel from all over Berkshire County battled a large brush fire in Lee for several hours Thursday.
According to a dispatcher with Lee Police, Fire, and Ambulance, the fire started around 1 p.m. at the base of October Mountain in the town. It then began to spread up into the wooded area of the mountain.
The fire was declared "under control" shortly before 7 p.m. Lee Police, Fire, and Ambulance said a number of crews are set to monitor the scene overnight in case of any flare-ups.
Monterey Fire Department Assistant Chief Maynard Forbes told NEWS10 that, at the peak of the fire, responders experienced, "a 100-foot wall of flames, 100-foot high. At times it was longer than that."
Photos of the fire scene sent to NEWS10 showed smoke billowing high into the air.
Authorities said at no time were any structures in danger of being ignited.
Reports of the amount of acreage burned varied, and the exact amount is not known at this time.
The dispatcher with Lee Police, Fire, and Ambulance said a Massachusetts National Guard helicopter was put on standby at one point in case it was needed to drop water onto the fire.
NEWS10 ABC
