Route 9W in Rockland reopens after fallen trees, rocks cleared from brush fire

Nancy Cutler, Rockland/Westchester Journal News
Updated ·2 min read

HAVERSTRAW - The road barriers along Route 9W in the Haverstraw stretch came down Monday afternoon. Fallen trees and rocks had to be cleared throughout the weekend and into Monday after Friday's brush fires that burned land along the CSX railroad tracks.

The road opened at shortly before 3 p.m., according to Haverstraw Town Supervisor Howard Phillips.

Route 9W had been closed from Short Clove Road/New City Road, also known as the rock cut, until Route 304 in Congers to remove the trees and rocks. Orange and Rockland Utility crews also had to replace poles.

Parts of Route 9W in Haverstraw are closed after a massive brush fire, pictured April 15, 2023.
Parts of Route 9W in Haverstraw are closed after a massive brush fire, pictured April 15, 2023.

How fires started

Brush fires from Tomkins Cove to Haverstraw to Congers were sparked, local officials said, by a CSX train that apparently suffered a wheel failure.

CSX initially reported that the train in the area had been inspected and no issues were reported.

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Local, county and state government officials are planning to meet with CSX, which operates the freight train line that traverses Rockland.

"Now it is up to government officials to make sure that this never occurs again," Phillips said Monday. "We need CSX to improve their warning system, so that the detection of a failed wheel will be seen immediately."

Huge response

According to Rockland County officials, up to 70 acres burned. Two sheds were destroyed, and several fences and vehicles were also damaged; heat from the fire melted or damaged siding on four houses.

An outdoor shed and ATV on Hazen Lane in Congers, were destroyed after a massive brush fire, pictured April 15, 2023.
An outdoor shed and ATV on Hazen Lane in Congers, were destroyed after a massive brush fire, pictured April 15, 2023.

All 26 Rockland County fire departments, which are staffed by volunteers, responded. Departments from Tuxedo in Orange County, New Jersey and Westchester responded or assisted Friday, as did state agencies.

The fires were under control by 5:30 p.m. Friday with hot spots tackled into Saturday.

No residents sustained any injuries, five firefighters suffered heat exhaustion, and one sustained a minor burn to their hand. All were evaluated at the scene and did not need transport to a hospital.

Nancy Cutler writes about People & Policy. Follow her on Twitter at @nancyrockland.

This article originally appeared on Rockland/Westchester Journal News: Brush fire damage closes Route 9W in Rockland County NY for days