A substantial battery fire at a solar farm on County Route 179 in the Town of Lyme led to a temporary shelter-in-place order for neighbors within a one-mile radius due to fears of toxic smoke.
The order was lifted on Thursday evening at 9:20 p.m., but authorities continue to urge caution in the area, according to Jefferson County’s Director of Fire and Emergency Management, Joseph Plummer.
In a statement issued on Thursday, Governor Kathy Hochul noted that the fire has resulted in substantial damage and is producing large quantities of smoke, which could potentially pose health risks. The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation and the Office of Fire Prevention and Control personnel have been deployed to the scene, the governor’s office reported.
Hochul advised community members to adhere to public health guidelines to protect themselves from smoke and other toxins and affirmed the state’s commitment to supporting the community through this situation. The fire, which started shortly after 1:00 p.m., is being tackled by the Jefferson County HAZMAT team and several fire departments, with operations set to continue through the night and into Friday.
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