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Greenwood Lake officials praise emergency response after July 4 storm; smoke advisory issued
Summary
Mayor Howley and trustees praised emergency responders after a storm interrupted July 4 festivities but organizers completed fireworks; officials also read a regional smoke advisory and urged residents with respiratory conditions to stay indoors and check on vulnerable neighbors.
Mayor Howley opened the July 15 village board meeting by thanking staff and volunteers for the July 4 parade and related events, and praised emergency and public-safety personnel for their response when a late-evening storm hit.
"The parade was absolutely wonderful," the mayor said, and noted that although a sudden storm reduced attendance during the fireworks, organizers seized a weather window and launched the display at about 9:01 p.m.
The mayor read an Associated Press notice about heavy smoke from multiple Canadian and northern Minnesota wildfires and warned residents with lung or heart conditions, older adults, children and outdoor workers to limit time outdoors. He urged residents to check on elderly or oxygen-dependent neighbors and to call Village Hall or the police department if they cannot make contact.
Trustee Trezino also commended emergency services for managing multiple simultaneous incidents during the storm — including downed trees and a boat in distress — and said there were no EMS or ambulance issues reported for the prior month.
Why it matters: The village highlighted both the strengths of its volunteer and paid first responders during a high-demand event and an immediate public-health concern from regional wildfire smoke. Officials offered a short-term protective action (stay indoors if vulnerable) and provided local contacts for assistance.
