Wildfire Renews, Voluntary Evacuation Ordered in New York
A wildfire that had been 90% contained on the Passaic County, New Jersey, side of the border and about 70% contained in Orange County, New York, renewed on Saturday due to windy conditions, prompting emergency officials to enact a voluntary evacuation plan for a small number of houses in a community near the New York-New Jersey border.
Evacuation Plan in Place
The voluntary evacuation, enacted out of “an abundance of caution,” impacted about 165 houses in Warwick, New York, as firefighters continued working to tame the Jennings Creek blaze. Those in the evacuation zone were encouraged to shelter at Greenwood Lake Middle School.
Firefighting Efforts Continue
New York Army National Guard helicopters dropped 21,000 gallons of water and a New York State Police helicopter dropped nearly 900 gallons on Saturday. The fire was burning primarily in Sterling Forest State Park, where the visitor center, the lakefront area at Greenwood Lake, and historic furnace area remained open but woodland activities including hunting were halted.
Fire Size and Cause
The wildfire had burned 7 1/2 square miles across the two states as of Friday, although New York officials said that number was likely to increase as stronger winds were forecast for the weekend. The cause of the fire remains under investigation, and it claimed the life of an 18-year-old New York parks employee who died when a tree fell on him as he helped fight the fire in Sterling Forest on November 9.
Regional Fire Threats
Fires were also a threat elsewhere in the Northeast, as New England states were under red flag alerts for wildfires this weekend. Massachusetts, which typically has about 15 wildland fires every October, had about 200 this year. State officials said they were expected to continue because of weather conditions and dry surface fuels. Southern New Hampshire was at particular risk for fires due to dry conditions, and the fire danger risk was “very high,” state officials said. The Maine Forest Service said the southern part of the state also faced high fire danger conditions, with most of the state being abnormally dry or facing moderate drought conditions.
Conclusion
The wildfire in New York and New Jersey continues to pose a threat, and emergency officials are taking precautions to ensure public safety. Firefighters will remain on the scene until significant rainfall occurs, and residents are advised to follow evacuation orders and take necessary precautions to stay safe.
FAQs
Q: How many houses are affected by the evacuation order?
A: About 165 houses in Warwick, New York, are impacted by the voluntary evacuation order.
Q: What is the cause of the wildfire?
A: The cause of the fire remains under investigation.
Q: How much of the fire is contained?
A: The fire was 90% contained on the Passaic County, New Jersey, side of the border and about 70% contained in Orange County, New York, before the windy conditions renewed the fire.
Q: When is the fire expected to be fully contained?
A: Firefighters will remain on the scene until significant rainfall occurs, which is not expected until Wednesday night.
