Washington Co. Officials Urge Fire Safety Amid Recent Blazes

Extreme cold weather blamed for nearly a dozen fires in the past two weeks

Published on Feb. 9, 2026

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Amid a recent string of fires in Washington County, New York, local officials are urging residents to practice fire safety at home. Fire crews say the majority of the fires were caused by heating-related devices like wood stoves and space heaters, as well as attempts to thaw frozen pipes. In response, authorities are advising people to take precautions such as plugging devices directly into the wall, avoiding power strips, and ensuring smoke detectors are working properly.

Why it matters

The recent spate of fires in Washington County highlights the heightened risk of home fires during extreme cold weather conditions. With many residents relying on supplemental heating sources, there is an increased need to emphasize fire prevention and safety measures to protect homes and families.

The details

According to fire officials, seven of the nearly dozen fires in the past two weeks were allegedly caused by heating-related devices like wood stoves and space heaters. Another fire was linked to people trying to thaw frozen pipes. In response, authorities are urging residents to take several fire-prevention steps, including plugging devices directly into the wall, avoiding power strips, and regularly testing smoke detectors.

  • In the previous two weeks, fire crews responded to nearly a dozen fires in Washington County.

The players

Glenn Bristol

The Washington County Fire Coordinator who is advising residents on fire safety measures.

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What they’re saying

“Just to use caution with any heating devices. Make sure your smoke detectors are working.”

— Glenn Bristol, Washington County Fire Coordinator (WNYT)

“Preventing it would be just do not put any torch on anything. Just use a lot of caution when trying to thaw pipes.”

— Glenn Bristol, Washington County Fire Coordinator (WNYT)

What’s next

With warmer weather expected in the coming days, officials hope the risk of fires will decrease.

The takeaway

This incident underscores the importance of fire safety, especially during extreme cold weather when residents may be relying more heavily on supplemental heating sources. Heeding the advice of local authorities and taking proactive measures can help prevent devastating home fires.