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Today’s edition · Wed., Nov. 4

DEC asks you to avoid the Berlin wildfire area

Plus, a measles death in Lewis County and heating help applications are open

The Daily Albany team2 stories17 sources5 min read

Rensselaer CountyTop story

DEC asks you to stay out of the Berlin wildfire area while crews finish up

The Berlin wildfire went from discovery to closures in about a week

  1. Oct. 25Residents find the fire in the Town of Berlin at about 1.5 acres
  2. Oct. 26The fire reaches roughly 198 acres and is 50% contained
  3. Oct. 27The Stephentown fire chief says the fire is 100% contained
  4. Nov. 2Berlin State Forest and Taconic Ridge State Forest are closed until further notice
  5. Nov. 3 asks the public to avoid the area as some spots still burn

Sources: Spectrum News Capital Region, WRGB, WAMC, wnyt.com

If you hike in Rensselaer County, skip the Berlin forest area for now. The state Department of Environmental Conservation says crews are still working to finish addressing last week's wildfire. The Berlin State Forest and Taconic Ridge State Forest are closed until further notice.

  • Also closed: Taconic Crest Trail and Mattison Hollow Trail
  • Fire status: contained, with some areas still burning inside
  • Cause: investigation is ongoing

Residents found the fire in the Town of Berlin on Sunday, Oct. 25, when it covered about 1.5 acres. By Monday evening it had grown to roughly 198 acres. Dozens of firefighters from New York, Massachusetts and Vermont worked it, with water drops from two state helicopters.

WNYT reported more than 250 acres burned. The Stephentown fire chief said the fire was 100% contained as of 5:30 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 27. Crews had to hike a mile and a half down a trail, then another mile into the woods.

The Berlin wildfire grew from about 1.5 acres to more than 250

Sources: WAMC, wnyt.com

View as table
Value
Found Oct. 25 (about)1.5 acres
Oct. 26 evening (roughly)198 acres
Oct. 27 (more than)250 acres

Health

A child's death in Lewis County is New York's first measles death in more than 30 years

A child in Lewis County has died from measles. The state Department of Health and Lewis County Public Health called it the first known measles-associated death in New York State in more than 30 years. Gov. Kathy Hochul called the death "a devastating reminder of what's at stake when Washington deliberately erodes decades of progress in protecting Americans from preventable illnesses."

  • Babies 6 months+: early MMR dose for travel or exposure risk
  • Symptoms: fever, cough, runny nose, red watery eyes
  • Rash: often three to five days after symptoms start
  • Sick? Call ahead before going to a clinic or ER

Two MMR doses protect slightly better than one

Sources: Newzjunky, WKTV

View as table
Value
One dose93%
Two doses97%

As of Oct. 24, there have been 178 measles cases this year. If you're not sure where you stand on MMR, we suggest asking your health care provider or local health department. The state says it is working with county health departments to offer the vaccine to anyone unvaccinated who requests it.

Most of New York's 178 measles cases this year were outside the city

Sources: Newzjunky, WKTV

View as table
AmountShare
Outside New York City17095.5%
New York City84.5%

Asked

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Asked

Will you check your family's MMR vaccination records this week?

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News Notes

Heat help

New York's Home Energy Assistance Program, or HEAP, is now taking applications, and it can provide over $1,000 this winter to lower-income households. Eligibility is based on household income and the type of fuel used to heat a home, state Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance Commissioner Barbara Quinn said. NEWS10 ABC

Holiday drive

New York's annual Holiday Drive is collecting new, unwrapped toys, new or gently used coats and school supplies through . 4. In the Capital Region, collection continues through Dec. 11 with in-person drop-offs and shipped packages. Gov. Kathy Hochul announced the drive Tuesday, Nov. 3. Donations go to community-based organizations that assist New Yorkers. NEWS10 ABCWNYT.com

Downtown market

Albany County is hosting a free, family-friendly holiday market in December at MVP Arena and along Pearl Street downtown. It celebrates the five-year anniversary of the between Albany County and MVP Health Care. NEWS10 ABC

Proctors

Proctors is marking its 100th anniversary season with a $1 movie series in the GE Theatre, sponsored by MVP Health Care and Price Chopper/Market 32. The series supports a holiday food drive for the Sycamore Collaborative, with donation bins outside the GE Theatre. Bring a nonperishable food donation and you get 10% off your next Proctors show. Berkshire on StageWNYT.com

Hoops

Siena women's basketball opened its 2026-27 season Monday night with an 82-71 win over Brown at the UHY Center in Loudonville, led by 25 points from Nicole Melious. WRGB called it a controlling win for the Saints. UAlbany men's basketball also won its opener, 74-67 over Division III Rhode Island College, with junior transfer Ollie Engen scoring 25 points. NEWS10 ABCWRGBNEWS10 ABC

Siena women's basketball opened its season with an 82-⁠71 win over Brown

  • Brown71
    Siena82
    FinalNicole Melious scored a game-high 25 points at the UHY Center

Sources: NEWS10 ABC, WRGB

Home

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Asked

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Asked

Which holiday plan are you most likely to make?

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Today’s puzzles

A new puzzle in each one every morning, played right here.

All 13 games

Quoted

You can't wait for inspiration. You have to go after it with a club.

— Jack London

Things to Do

Things to Do

Albany, NY

Wednesday, Nov. 4

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Jobs

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Around the Block

Around the Block

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Neighbors

In 2017/2018 I lost my Mom and Dad and basically my whole Thanksgiving table so the Holiday season is very hard for me but the reason for my post is I would like to start volunteering for the season I am available on Fridays,Saturdays and Sundays..

“I really think helping others will help ME get through the holiday season as well 🙏🏽❤️ Anyone in need of help with like holiday food drives or outreach anything feel free to contact me.. Thank you 😊”

— A neighbor, Washington Park

92 likes · 39 comments

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The Wrap

The Santa we know today has Capital Region roots. On . 23, 1823, an anonymous author published the poem "A Visit from St. Nicholas," later known as 'Twas the Night Before Christmas, in the Troy Sentinel. The poem helped shape the sleigh-and-reindeer, chimney-sliding image we picture now. Ho ho hometown.

Missed yesterday’s newsletter? New York's unemployment system is down for 9 to 12 days; wildfire closes Rensselaer trails

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Every source in this edition17 links · 11 outlets
  1. The Weather Channelweather.com
  2. Spectrum News Capital Regionspectrumlocalnews.com
  3. WRGBcbs6albany.com
  4. WAMCwamc.org
  5. wnyt.comwnyt.com
  6. Newzjunkyhealth.ny.gov
  7. WKTVwktv.com
  8. NEWS10 ABCnews10.com
  9. NEWS10 ABCnews10.com
  10. WNYT.comwnyt.com
  11. NEWS10 ABCnews10.com
  12. Berkshire on Stageberkshireonstage.blog
  13. WNYT.comwnyt.com
  14. NEWS10 ABCnews10.com
  15. WRGBcbs6albany.com
  16. NEWS10 ABCnews10.com
  17. Albany events calendardailyalbanynews.com

Past issues

  1. Tues., Nov. 3New York's unemployment system is down for 9 to 12 days; wildfire closes Rensselaer trails
  2. Mon., Nov. 2Albany County early voting wraps with 37,396 ballots cast, 3,917 on Saturday
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Daily Albanyto me · Wed., Nov. 46:00 a.m.

DEC asks you to avoid the Berlin wildfire area

Plus, a measles death in Lewis County and heating help applications are open

The TLDR

  1. DEC asks you to avoid the Berlin forest area after the wildfire
  2. A Lewis County child's death is New York's first measles death in 30+ years
  3. HEAP heating help is open and can top $1,000
Read this edition

More stories this week

From Daily Albany’s other editions

All the news
State ServicesNew York's unemployment system is offline for 9 to 12 days while it's upgradedIf you collect unemployment in New York, the state's system is down right now. The Department of Labor took its online and phone services offline at 5 p.m. Monday for an upgrade. Until it's back, you can't file a new claim, certify for weekly benefits, or access or update your account.Tuesday’s editionRead Rensselaer CountyA new wildfire has closed state forests and trails in eastern Rensselaer CountyIf you hike the Taconic ridge, skip it for now. The state says land is burning again in eastern Rensselaer County, in the area where firefighters battled a wildfire last week. The DEC says crews are addressing the active fire, and about a week ago a fire burned about 250 acres in Rensselaer County and western Massachusetts, WAMC reports.Tuesday’s editionRead

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