As of Monday evening, the Jennings Creek Wildfire has scorched 3,500 acres total between the New Jersey and New York sides, but the New Jersey Department of Environmental Preservation said they anticipate the wildfire will grow to at least 5,000 acres before reaching 100% containment.
The fire started near the intersection of Lake to Lake Trail and the West Valley Trail in New York State, and then spread to New Jersey.
The fire is blamed for the death of a New York State Parks employee.
New York State Police identified the 18-year-old as Dariel Vasquez, an employee of the New York State Parks, Recreation, and Historic Preservation Department.
“These local resources have been running and gone up since Saturday when this when this thing really blew up,” said Bryan Gallagher of New York State Forest Rangers.
PASSAIC COUNTY, NJ (WABC) — Firefighters are still battling a Monday fire in New York and New Jersey that killed a park employee and delayed plans for Veterans Day.
Although the Jennings Creek Wildfire has burned 3,500 acres between the New Jersey and New York sides as of Monday night, the New Jersey Department of Environmental Preservation stated that they expect the fire to spread to at least 5,000 acres before it is completely contained.
About 20% of it is contained, according to officials’ estimates.
“We have used every resource that comes to mind. I want to emphasize that this is the biggest fire in our state since 2008, and they are on the ground and won’t go away. Therefore, nothing of this magnitude has been observed,” Gov. Kathy Hochul stated. . “Now is the moment for people to exercise extreme caution in their actions so that we do not add to the difficulties we are currently facing in halting the spread. “.”.
After beginning in New York State close to the junction of the West Valley Trail and the Lake to Lake Trail, the fire moved to New Jersey. Nobody knows what caused it.
One of the New York State Parks employees was killed in the fire. A member of the New York State Parks, Recreation, and Historic Preservation Department, Dariel Vasquez, was identified by New York State Police as the 18-year-old. He was working with firefighters when he was struck by a tree, according to officials.
Eyewitness News was informed by the East Ramapo Central School District that Vasquez was a 2024 graduate. More than $45,000 has been raised so far through a Go Fund Me campaign in the memory of the fallen volunteer firefighter.
He wrote on his website, “A lot of the people working on the fires are veterans themselves, and we must remember them at this time because they put in a lot of time, day and night, trying to protect our wonderful communities there.”.
Because most firefighters are volunteers, crews are woefully understaffed. On Monday, efforts to safeguard neighboring homes persisted despite the dearth of effective assistance.
Greenwood Lake Mayor Thomas Howley stated, “This has been the most significant and potentially dangerous situation I’ve seen or been involved in in my over 50 years of living here.”.
The little rain that fell on Sunday night did little to slow the wildfire’s spread, but it did provide a brief break for the 230 or so personnel who came from far and wide to assist in battling one of the worst natural disasters the region has seen in decades.
As stated by Bryan Gallagher of the New York State Forest Rangers, “these local resources have been running and gone up since Saturday when this thing really blew up.”. As a result, we have some time to rest. The winds return tomorrow, though. “.
The fire has penetrated the tree roots and has the potential to spread underground.
It is comparable to applying a Band-Aid to a problem. Water of any kind will be beneficial, but the forest does not appear to be in good condition for the next few days. It appears to be dry. It doesn’t appear to be very humid. Howley stated, “We need a lot of water, so we’ll take whatever we can get.”.
Some West Milford locals picked up items to give to first responders on Monday night. Carol Johansson has two family members who work as firefighters.
“I understand the experience of waiting for your husband and your son to return home,” she said.
Since October 29, there has been a burn ban in effect, and authorities are still advising locals not to use grills or start fires.
Since October 1, the NJ Forest Fire Service has responded to 537 wildfires that have burned 4,500 acres throughout the state. Over the same period, 60 wildfires have burned over 2,100 acres in New York.
ADDITIONAL WOODS.
Lakes Wildfire in Pompton.
By 6:30 p.m., the Pompton Lakes fire was completely contained. M. Sunday, the New Jersey Forest Fire Service said.
The Cannonball Road area was the site of the 181-acre wildfire.
No structures were evacuated despite 55 structures being threatened early in the firefight.
Investigations are still ongoing to determine what caused the fire.
The Palisades Interstate Parkway is a fire.
by 4 p.m. m. 75 percent of the 39-acre wildfire that was burning close to the Palisades Interstate Parkway in Englewood Cliffs, Bergen County, was contained, according to the NJ Forest Fire Service on Saturday.
There aren’t any evacuation orders or structures in danger right now.
Investigations are still ongoing to determine what caused the fire.
Fire in Jackson Township.
at 6:30 p.m. M. In Jackson Township, Ocean County, the Shotgun Wildfire has burned 350 acres and is currently 90% contained as of Friday.
An arson charge was brought against a man from Brick Township, New Jersey, in relation to the Jackson Township wildfire.
Richard Shashaty, 37, allegedly started the fire on Wednesday by firing a gun and using the ammunition to light the fire. In addition to the arson charge, he will also be charged with weapons.
Shashaty is in jail pending a hearing after turning himself in to the police on Saturday.
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