Wildfires in New York: State Police Use Technology to Battle Orange County Blaze
Fire Update
The Jennings Creek brush fire, which began on October 17, has reignited on November 8 and continues to burn in Orange County, New York. As of Thursday night, the fire had consumed nearly 5,000 acres on the New York/New Jersey border.
The Challenge of Fighting the Fire
Forest Ranger Griggsby Cowart explained that the fire not only spreads on the surface but also gets into the ground, making it difficult to extinguish. "When it’s this dry, it doesn’t take much for the fire to kind of get 6 or 8 inches deep into the ground, which makes those embers just kind of sit and smolder for long periods of time, which is what happened with this fire."
Technology Plays a Key Role
Crews are using numerous National Guard helicopter bucket drops of water to battle the fire. Two Chinooks and two Black Hawks have been called in, and over 100,000 gallons of water were dropped by helicopter just on Thursday.
When firefighters lose daylight, the fight turns to infrared night flights as the New York State Police take to the air with unmanned aircraft pilots to help identify fire hot spots. "Every year, it seems to be getting better and better as far as the quality," said Trooper Joseph Malorgio, the NYSP aviation coordinator. "I equate that to you go to Best Buy every year at Christmastime and you have that next best TV. It’s the same thing with technology. It’s almost hard to keep up with it at times."
Infrared Technology Helps Fight the Fire
Malorgio explained that the infrared technology in the drones helps fight the fire by allowing pilots to clearly see hot spots. "You can clearly see on the visual display. You see a lot of smoke and haze in the air," he said. "When you go into that IR mode, you can actually drill down and see where the hot spots are."
Fire Containment and Impact
The fire has threatened several homes and structures in the area, but no evacuations have been ordered at this time. The fire is nearly 70 percent contained, and officials said conditions are improving.
Conclusion
The use of technology has played a crucial role in battling the Orange County wildfire, and it is expected to continue to be an essential tool in the fight against the fire. As conditions improve, officials are working to contain the fire and prevent further damage.
FAQs
Q: How did the fire start?
A: The Jennings Creek brush fire began on October 17.
Q: How big is the fire?
A: As of Thursday night, the fire had consumed nearly 5,000 acres on the New York/New Jersey border.
Q: How is the fire being fought?
A: Crews are using National Guard helicopter bucket drops of water and infrared night flights with unmanned aircraft pilots to help identify fire hot spots.
Q: Has anyone been evacuated?
A: No evacuations have been ordered at this time.
Q: Is the fire contained?
A: The fire is nearly 70 percent contained, and officials said conditions are improving.
