A high-tension power line has fallen down and is burning at 6888 Alleghany Road in Alabama. The location is north of the Judge Road intersection. Town of Alabama Fire Department is responding.
UPDATE 7:35 p.m.: The high-tension wires are the responsibility of the New York Power Authority, which is being notified. About 300 yards of grass around the wires is on fire.
UPDATE 7:39 p.m.: The power authority has been informed and there's a representative en route. But he's coming from Lewiston so it will take time to get there. The Department of Environmental Conservation is being notified.
UPDATE 7:47 p.m.: Little can be done until the power is shut down. Firefighters on scene are ensuring the blaze does not spread to structures. No structures are threatened at this time. State forestry workers are available if needed since land under the power lines belongs to New York.
UPDATE 8 p.m.: A grass truck out of Akron and tankers from Pembroke and Indian Falls are requested as mutual aid to Alabama. The grass fire is described as large. It's behind the White Memorial State Game Farm.
UPDATE 8:08 p.m.: After researching the location, the state power authority says the power lines belong to National Grid. The state has contacted National Grid and a rep is being sent, but no ETA given.
UPDATE 8:32 p.m.: Oakfield is to fill in at Alabama's hall. Another unit out of Niagara County is called in.
UPDATE 8:34 p.m.: The high-tension lines are fully powered. A National Grid rep is in the area and still needs to figure out how to shut down power there. A supervisor is en route. Once they figure it out, one of them will coordinate duties with the fire officials. The shifting wind is proving to be somewhat problematic.
UPDATE 8:39 p.m.: A fire truck out of Shelby is requested.
UPDATE 8:43 p.m.: A grass truck out of East Pembroke is called.
UPDATE 8:53 p.m.: A tanker from Oakfield is called and so are fire police from East Pembroke to help with traffic control.
UPDATE 9:03 p.m.: National Grid has a 30-minute ETA. Tankers are filling up at Parkers Pond at Gordon and Judge roads.
UPDATE 9:06 p.m.: The chief says the fire has been extinguished on the northwest side of the site. They are heading up on the hill to concentrate their efforts on the other side. Grass under the power lines continues to burn because the electrictity has yet to be shut down by National Grid.
UPDATE 9:31 p.m.: The chief reports the fire is contained and the remainder consists of a 50-foot swath of land underneath the power lines. National Grid has not yet arrived.
UPDATE 9:47 p.m.: National Grid is on scene. The fire is under control and the scene is being turned over to them to handle.
