WEST MILFORD, N.J. — Strong winds have reignited a wildfire that breached containment lines, leading officials to implement a voluntary evacuation plan for a few residences in a community situated near the border of New York and New Jersey this past Saturday.
Officials activated the voluntary evacuation as a precautionary measure, affecting approximately 165 homes in Warwick, New York. Firefighters continued their efforts to control the Jennings Creek fire, as confirmed by Jeff Wernick from the New York Parks Department in a Saturday evening email.
As of Friday, the wildfire was reported to be 90% contained on the New Jersey side of Passaic County while achieving 70% containment in Orange County, New York, authorities stated.
By Friday, the fire had scorched about 7.5 square miles (19.4 square kilometers) straddling both states. However, officials in New York warned that the perimeter might expand due to the anticipated stronger winds over the weekend.
On Saturday, Wernick reported that helicopters from the New York Army National Guard dropped a total of 21,000 gallons (approximately 79,493 liters) of water, while a helicopter from the New York State Police contributed nearly 900 gallons (around 3,406 liters).
The wildfire is primarily affecting Sterling Forest State Park, where the visitor center, the lakefront at Greenwood Lake, and the historic furnace area remain accessible to the public. However, several woodland activities, including hunting, have been temporarily suspended. Wernick added that homes in the vicinity of the lake have not been directly impacted by the blaze.
According to the National Weather Service, rain for Warwick is not expected until late Wednesday evening. Firefighters have declared their intent to stay on site until substantial rainfall occurs.
Tragically, the fire claimed the life of an 18-year-old employee from the New York parks department who lost his life when a falling tree struck him while he was participating in firefighting efforts in Sterling Forest on November 9.
Investigations into the cause of the wildfire are still ongoing.