Vermont — A concerning fire emerged on one of Vermont’s most famous peaks yesterday, but fire crews demonstrated their skills in containing it.
Yesterday, a small brush fire was caused by a lightning strike on Mount Ascutney. After the fire was reported, the Ascutney Trails Association called on riders and hikers to stay away from the area.
Local fire agencies, including the Chester Fire Department, responded to the call and successfully extinguished the fire. It was a truly impressive job by them, especially considering how far up the mountain the brush fire was.
With Ascutney now operating as a smaller ski area, this didn’t impact any of the lift-served skiable terrain. The fire appears to be situated on the upper mountain, which was once home to the high-speed quad. However, this terrain is still accessible to backcountry skiers.
After closing as a ski resort in 2010, the community stepped up and purchased the site in 2015. Ascutney reopened as a community ski hill in 2018, with a rope tow, and added a T-Bar in 2020. Ascutney Outdoors continues to grow, boasting an extensive mountain biking network and a decently-sized skiable footprint. It’s not what it used to be, but Ascutney is still a pretty cool place to shred.
Image Credits: Chester Fire Department, Ascutney Trails Association
