By Guy Page

Firefighters from across Chittenden County faced a grueling Saturday, October 4, as they fought a difficult brush fire on Brownell Mountain in Williston and only hours later were called to a fatal motor vehicle crash in the neighboring town of Hinesburg.

Williston mountain fire

At about 3 PM, the Williston Fire Department received a report of a possible wildland fire on Brownell Mountain. The fire had first been spotted by aircraft and reported to the Burlington International Airport FAA tower.

Crews confirmed an active blaze at the mountaintop and requested assistance from the Vermont Forests, Parks and Recreation Wildland Fire Control Team. A second alarm summoned mutual aid from the Hinesburg, Richmond, Essex, Charlotte, and Underhill-Jericho fire departments.

Ground crews located a one-acre fire burning in steep, inaccessible terrain and threatening nearby infrastructure. According to News 5, they firefighters reportedly ran a half mile of hose uphill to reach the flames. With daylight fading, a helicopter staged in Lebanon, N.H. was dispatched to perform water drops, slowing the fire’s spread.

“The purpose of that was to hold the fire in its footprint to prevent it from growing, Vermont Wildland Fire Specialist Devin Healy told News 5 in a story reported Saturday by Yunier Martinez. “The soils are so dry right now that the helicopter is not going to put the fire out. It bought us the evening to assemble the crew to run a hose up to the fire.”

Healy said investigation is ongoing, but the fire likely of human origin, he told WCAX.

Williston Police handled traffic control while aerial operations were underway. About 35 firefighters worked the scene, supported by the American Red Cross with canteen services. The fire remained active as of Saturday night and continued into Sunday.

No homes were threatened and no injuries were reported. Officials reminded the public that open burning is currently prohibited due to extremely dry conditions.

Air drop of water on Brownell Mountain. Facebook photos by Ed Phelan

Fatal crash in Hinesburg

At 7:41 PM, just hours after the forest fire was reported, the Hinesburg Fire Department (HFD) was dispatched to Silver Street for a two-vehicle crash involving fire. Vermont State Police determined that a northbound Ram 1500 pickup, driven by Logan Cody, 24, of Shelburne, was traveling in the southbound lane when it collided head-on with a Kia Optima driven by Lauren Morrill, 63, of North Ferrisburgh.

Cody was pulled from his burning pickup by a passing Milton firefighter moments before it became fully engulfed. He was transported to UVM Medical Center with serious but non-life-threatening injuries. Morrill was pronounced dead at the scene.

The Milton Fire Department described their member’s heroic efforts: “The Milton Fire Department would like to acknowledge Milton firefighter Tyler Lafountain for his courage and bravery while intervening in a motor vehicle accident that occurred yesterday evening in the town of Hinesburg, Vermont.

Firefighter Lafountain was traveling on Silver Street in Hinesburg while he witnessed a pick up truck pass him on the left and collide head on with another vehicle, both vehicles substance significant damage resulting in one vehicle on fire. Firefighter Lafountain immediately attempted to render aid to the occupant of the vehicle that was on fire, using a fire extinguisher from his vehicle and additional fire extinguishers provided by a property owner in the immediate area. He was able to knock the flames down and remove the occupant from the vehicle to a safe location and provide medical aid.”

HFD crews, already engaged at the Williston mountain fire, responded directly from that incident, while additional firefighters stationed at the Hinesburg firehouse arrived within minutes. Charlotte Rescue was first on scene with EMS care, and additional assistance came from Monkton Fire, Richmond Rescue, Essex Fire, and Williston Fire.

The crash closed Silver Street until just before midnight. Vermont State Police continue to investigate.

Mutual aid and dispatchers praised

Both incidents stretched resources across multiple departments, but officials praised the coordination of mutual aid partners and the Shelburne Communications Center, which managed both emergencies.

“These were incredibly challenging and tragic events,” Hinesburg Fire officials said. “Our hearts go out to those affected, and we commend the courage of the bystander firefighter who saved a life.”