September 17, 2015 Update: The trails at Eagle Mountain are in great shape and open to the public. Fortunately, the May 2015 brush fire was not widespread and vegetation is returning to the burned areas. Many thanks to the more than 25 volunteers who came out to help prevent non-native buckthorn trees and honeysuckle shrubs, which prefer recently disturbed areas, from invading the fire zone near the summit by removing these invasive plants. Click here to see recent images of the burned areas and shots of the volunteers in action!
For a good summary of the May 22, 2015 brush fire, emergency response and post-fire conditions, click here to read the Milton Independent’s May 27th article.
Eagle Mountain Post Brush Fire Images (May 2015)
(Click Here for Map of Fire Area)
Our sincere thanks to Milton Fire Chief Don Turner and the many firefighters who battled the brush fire on Eagle Mountain. It is believed that the fire was caused by a lightning strike — neighbors reported the fire at 4:30 am. According to John Hoyt, who grew up next to Eagle Mountain and donated half of Eagle Mountain Natural Area to the Lake Champlain Land Trust, the last time fire hit the state-significant forest was 1922. (Thanks to the Vermont Department of Forests, Parks & Recreation for fire area map boundary.)
