State Sen. Pam Helming called Thursday for immediate state assistance for families affected by smoke from an ongoing Mount Morris fire, saying local officials and first responders should not have to handle the response alone.
In a Nov. 12 statement released by her office, Helming urged state agencies responsible for permitting and overseeing what she described as an industrial solar project to take action.
“This fire must be extinguished, and the health and safety of our residents must come first,” Helming said. “Families most impacted by the smoke need immediate assistance and resources from New York State.”
Helming said she has been working with Assemblywoman Bailey and county and local government partners to press state agencies for action.
“I appreciate everything our local officials and first responders are doing, but they should not be left to handle this alone,” she said.
Her statement called for a greater state role in addressing the fire and protecting residents.
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“The state agencies responsible for permitting and overseeing this industrial solar project need to step up,” Helming said. “Our residents deserve answers, action, and protection, now and in the future.”
The statement did not identify the project’s operator or the agencies involved, describe the cause of the fire or specify what assistance Helming was seeking for affected families.
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