Daniel Zuckerman is reporting for Columbia-Greene Media fire companies in Greene and Columbia counties have responded to brush fire calls in recent days, and meteorologists warn that dry conditions could worsen before they get better. A large brush fire in Selkirk, Albany County, consumed more than 20 acres of land near the CSX Railroad Facility, Sat., Apr. 15. A fire In Freehold Sunday along DeMeo Lane, left three acres of woods scorched, Freehold Assistant Fire Chief Michael Kargoe said. During the early afternoon of Tue., Apr. 18, a fire burned through 2.5 acres of woods near a home in Durham. No damage to the home was reported. "It was close — right to the edge of the house," East Durham Volunteer Fire Company Chief Joseph Van Holsteyn said. "They came home just as it started." Flames from burning leaves and other brush in a fire pit on County Route 13 in Old Chatham last week got out of control and spread, Tri-Village Assistant Fire Chief Randy Goold said. The fire pit was about 35 to 40 feet from a barn, causing minimal damage to the structure. And 10-by-5-foot brush fire along county Route 11 in Craryville last week was reportedly started by a discarded cigarette. On Mon., Apr. 17, Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo urged state residents to take steps to prevent wildfires in light of the above average temperatures forecast through the end of June. Those conditions make it more likely for wildfires to start and quickly spread. A statewide ban on open burning is in effect through May 14. Read the full story in The Daily Mail.