Lee Man Killed in Single-Car Accident

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GREAT BARRINGTON, Mass. —  A Lee man was killed Saturday in a single-car accident on Division Street. 
 
Caleb Carlson, 23, of South Lee, was pronounced deceased at the scene.
 
Police say they received 911 calls at about 6:09 p.m. on Saturday reporting the crash; Carlson's 2010 Volkswagen Jettawhich apparently struck a tree or tree stump near 190 Division St.
 
The section of Division Street from Alford Road to Christian Hill was closed for a duration of four hours while investigators were on scene. The investigation is being conducted by Great Barrington Police, State Police and the Berkshire County District Attorney's Office. The Fire Department, Southern Berkshire Ambulance Squad and the Egremont and West Stockbridge Police Departments assisted with the incident.
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Butternut Fire Expands to Sheffield, Covering 1,100 Acres

By Brittany PolitoiBerkshires Staff

The fire expanded during to the night to cover more than 1,100 acres. 

GREAT BARRINGTON, Mass. — The Butternut Fire has expanded tenfold, now covering almost 1,100 acres of forest and spreading to Sheffield.

Just before noon on Wednesday, the town reported that the wildfire near Brush Hill Road off East Mountain had unexpected growth overnight. It spread over 100 acres on Tuesday and on Wednesday, was estimated to cover slightly less than 1,100 acres.

The town remains in a state of emergency, as declared by the Select Board on Tuesday, but first responders assure that Great Barrington is not in danger.

Around 2 p.m., the Great Barrington Fire Department reported via Facebook that "significant fire" was extinguished by using a Blackhawk helicopter to drop 600 gallons of water. Water is now being pulled from Three Mile Pond in Sheffield.

The blaze is being referred to as the Butternut Fire due to its proximity to Ski Butternut, which has confirmed there is no damage to the ski area.

"At this time the fire is more than a quarter of a mile from the nearest structures and there are not any immediate threats to the public. There have NOT been any evacuation orders at this time. We have strategically placed structural fire crews in the areas where there is the POTENTIAL for us to operate in a protection mode to protect homes and property," the town's press release reads.

"In the event of a need for an evacuation order, residents will be notified through Code RED along with in-person door-to-door notifications of the affected area — an information post will be shared on how to sign up if you are already not signed up."

The fire was first reported Monday evening and by 9 p.m., firefighters were pulled from the mountain because of the hazardous conditions. On Tuesday morning, neighboring departments were called in to help contain the blaze.

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