Forest fire in Jennings Creek: Overnight rain in New York and New Jersey brings little relief to the days-long bushfire battle

PASSAIC COUNTY, N.J. (WABC) — Firefighters continued to battle a blaze in New York and New Jersey on Monday that killed a park employee and postponed Veterans Day plans.

As of Monday evening, the Jennings Creek wildfire has burned a total of 3,500 acres between New Jersey and New York, but the New Jersey Department of Environmental Preservation said it expects the wildfire to grow to at least 5,000 acres before 100 percent containment is achieved.

Officials estimate it is about 20% contained.

“We used every possible resource. They’re on the ground, they’re not going anywhere, and I want to point out that this is the largest fire in our state since 2008. So that’s what we have.” “I haven’t seen anything of this magnitude,” said Gov. Kathy Hochul. “This is the time when people need to be very, very careful about what they do so that we don’t contribute to the challenges we’re facing right now as we try to stop the spread.”

The fire started near the intersection of the Lake to Lake Trail and the West Valley Trail in New York State and then spread into New Jersey. The cause is unknown.

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. Officials say he was struck by a tree while working with firefighters.

The East Ramapo Central School District told Eyewitness News that Vasquez is a Class of 2024 graduate. A Go Fund Me campaign on behalf of the fallen volunteer firefighter has so far raised more than $45,000.

“Many of the staff currently dealing with the fires are veterans themselves, and we must remember them as they spend long hours, day and night, doing everything they can to benefit our great communities in this area to protect.” he posted online.

Crews are severely understaffed as most are only volunteer firefighters. Despite the lack of effective assistance, efforts to protect surrounding homes continued on Monday.

“In the 50-plus years I have lived here, this was the most significant and potentially dangerous situation I have ever seen or been involved in,” said Greenwood Lake Mayor Thomas Howley.

Sunday evening’s light rain did little to contain the spread of the wildfire, but provided some relief for the approximately 230 employees who traveled from near and far to help deal with one of the worst natural disasters the area has seen in decades. a short respite.

“These local resources have been going up and up since Saturday when this thing really exploded,” said Bryan Gallagher of the New York State Forest Rangers. “So this gives us some time to take a little breather. But tomorrow the wind will come back.”

The fire has penetrated the roots of the trees and can spread underground.

“It’s like putting a Band-Aid over something. It will help, any kind of wetness will help, but the forest doesn’t look good in the next few days. He looks dry. He doesn’t look so wet. We’ll take some.” “Water we get, and we definitely need a lot of it,” Howley said.

On Monday evening, some West Milford residents picked up items to donate to first responders. Carol Johansson has two firefighters in her family.

“I know what it’s like to wait for your husband and son to come home,” she said.

A burn ban has been in effect since Oct. 29 and officials continue to urge residents not to light fires or use grills.

Since October 1, the NJ Forest Fire Service has responded to 537 wildfires that have burned a total of 4,500 acres across the state. During the same period, there were 60 wildfires in New York, burning a total of more than 2,100 hectares of land.

OTHER WILDFIRES

Pompton Lakes wildfire

The Pompton Lakes fire was 100% contained as of 6:30 p.m. Sunday, according to the New Jersey Forest Fire Service.

The 181-acre wildfire burned in the area of ​​Cannonball Road.

At the start of the firefight, 55 buildings were at risk, but no buildings were evacuated.

The cause of the fire is still under investigation.

Wildfire on Palisades Interstate Parkway

As of 4 p.m. Saturday, the New Jersey Forest Fire Service said it had contained 75% of the 39-acre wildfire burning near the Palisades Interstate Parkway in Englewood Cliffs, Bergen County.

There are currently no structures under threat and no evacuation orders in place.

The cause of the fire is still under investigation.

Wildfire in Jackson Township

As of 6:30 p.m. Friday, the Shotgun Wildfire has burned 350 acres and is now 90% contained in Jackson Township, Ocean County.

A Brick Township, New Jersey, man has been charged with arson in connection with the Jackson Township wildfire.

According to police, 37-year-old Richard Shashaty started the fire on Wednesday when he fired a gun and ignited the flames with the ammunition. In addition to the arson charge, he is also charged with weapons possession.

Shashaty turned himself in to police on Saturday and is currently in prison awaiting his hearing.

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