by VDC Staff

A wildfire in Ripton, Vermont, has burned more than 50 acres of Green Mountain National Forest since Tuesday afternoon, forcing closures and mobilizing crews from across the region. Officials reported that the fire, which began near North Branch Road, remained entirely on state and federal forest lands, posing no immediate threat to homes. Approximately 60 firefighters are working to contain the blaze, which as of late Tuesday night was still uncontained. A red flag warning remained in effect throughout the day due to high winds and very low humidity, increasing the difficulty of containment efforts.

In northern Vermont, crews spent over four hours battling a 25-acre wildfire in Sheldon on Monday, sparked by a debris burn that spread out of control. Firefighters from four departments responded, working to protect nearby transmission lines, though no power outages were reported. Local officials emphasized the dangers of dry conditions, noting that a single ember can ignite acres of brush within minutes. They advised residents to delay burning until the state sees significant rainfall and vegetation begins to green up.

State officials have highlighted that these incidents come amid critical wildfire conditions across Vermont and northern New York. The National Weather Service issued a Fire Weather Watch on Tuesday, citing relative humidity as low as 20–25% and winds gusting up to 30 mph, a combination that can cause fires to spread rapidly. Residents were warned to avoid outdoor burning or using equipment prone to sparking under these conditions.

According to the Vermont Department of Forests, Parks and Recreation, preparedness levels remain moderate, but local fire wardens are enforcing burn restrictions in many towns. The agency reminds residents that open burning requires a permit by law and urges the public to remain vigilant until expected rainfall late Wednesday into Thursday helps reduce fire risk. A statewide fire danger map and updates on current wildfires are available through the department’s page.