New York forest ranger dies battling wildfire near Greenwood Lake
GREENWOOD LAKE, N.Y. -- Crews continued battling several wildfires in northern New Jersey and Orange County, New York on Sunday.
The Jennings Creek wildfire has been burning since Friday, impacting parts of West Milford, New Jersey and Greenwood Lake, New York. The New Jersey Forest Fire Service first reported it at around 2:15 p.m. Saturday.
"Our fire tower noticed it, and it was spotted in New York. Well, [Friday] afternoon, the fire was pushing into New York. Winds changed overnight and started pushing it back into New Jersey," New Jersey Forest Fire Service Chief Donnelly said.
Since then, the wildfire has spread across 2,000 acres and is not contained, Donnelly said. He called it the biggest wildfire in the state so far this year.
A New York forest ranger responding to the wildfire was killed when a tree fell on him, Orange County Executive Steve Neuhaus said in a video on social media. Eastern Dutchess County Fire and Rescue said the state parks employee was airlifted to a local hospital but did not survive. He was later identified as 18-year-old Dariel Vasquez.
"I am deeply saddened by the passing of one of our New York State Parks employees while responding to a wildfire in Orange County yesterday," Gov. Kathy Hochul said in a statement.
"My prayers go out to his family, friends and co-workers during this difficult time. I commend his dedication to serving and protecting his fellow New Yorkers, and his bravery on the front lines. New York is battling multiple wildfires due to the dry conditions we are currently facing. Our state employees are working around the clock to protect our communities and we are keeping them close in our thoughts as they put their lives on the line to stop the spread of these wildfires."
A total of 10 structures were being threatened by the fire, including two homes, but there have not been any evacuations at this time, the fire service said.
East Shore Road and Beach Road are both closed, along with all trails in Long Pond Ironworks State Park and Tranquility Ridge.
Drought conditions fueling New York and New Jersey fires
Fires have been breaking out across the states this week as the drought affecting the Tri-State Area stretches on.
"New Jersey Forest Fire Service in general has responded to over 400 fires last month and roughly 40-some fires between yesterday and today," Donnelly said Saturday.
Fire officials say a significant amount of rain is needed to give firefighters some reprieve.
"It's up to Mother Nature. When she brings the rain, we'll take a break, but until we see that, I don't see any break in sight," Donnelly said. "We're not talking, you know, rain shower or something. We're talking inches of rain, you know, a nice, slow, steady rain that can penetrate the ground. Because right now, the ground is so hard that you get a heavy shower or something, it's just going to run off the ground."
An air quality alert has been issued for northern New Jersey, along with New York City and the Hudson Valley, through 12 a.m. Monday due to the smoke.
Pompton Lakes fire
The Cannonball 3 wildfire near Cannonball Road in Pompton Lakes was first reported early Saturday morning.
The New Jersey Forest Fire Service reported just before 3:30 p.m. Saturday that the fire had spread across 164 acres and was 50% contained. The service says the flames are threatening 55 structures, but none have been evacuated at this time.
"Everything seems to realistically be in good shape," Donnelly said of the Pompton Lakes fire.
Englewood Cliffs fire
A wildfire burning along the Palisades Interstate Parkway in Englewood Cliffs, which started overnight Thursday into Friday, was 75% contained after spreading over 39 acres, the fire service said Saturday evening.
No structures are threatened at this time, and the fire service said there will not be any additional updates on this fire unless there is a significant development.
Fire officials have not determined the cause of any of these three fires at this time.
New Jersey wildfires
The ongoing dry, windy conditions have helped fuel a number of wildfires across New Jersey in recent days, including a fire in Jackson Township that started Wednesday.
Fire officials said that wildfire ultimately spread over 350 acres, but crews were able to achieve 90% containment by Friday evening.
The Ocean County prosecutor's office announced Saturday that the cause of the fire was determined to be magnesium shards from a shotgun round igniting combustibles on the berm of a shooting range. A Brick Township man has been arrested and charged with arson and violation of the regulatory provisions relating to firearms in connection to the Jackson Township wildfire.
