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    • ‘Smoke jumpers’ from western states are brought to Orange County NY
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    ‘Smoke jumpers’ from western states are brought to Orange County NY

    Vaseline Posted on

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    The battle against a wildfire on the New Jersey-New York border continued Thursday after Orange County declared a state of emergency and crews successfully held the fireline for another night.

    The fire was believed to be located 2 miles (3.2 km) from the town of Tuxedo on Thursday morning, according to New York State Department of Conservation officer Jeff Wernick. Tuxedo is less than seven miles from the Rockland County border.

    Read on for updates on the Jennings Creek wildfire.

    Thursday’s burnout operations, which involved tactical efforts on the ground and in the air, allowed crews to make significant progress in the fight against the Jennings Creek fire.

    According to a message from Greenwood Lake Mayor Tom Howley, the fire, which had burned 4,756 acres as of 7:30 p.m., was now 69% contained.

    “We hope this positive news helps everyone sleep a little better tonight,” Howley wrote.

    More than 300 firefighters from six government agencies, as well as dozens of volunteer fire companies, were part of the suppression operations Thursday. Additional support is expected to arrive from across New York on Friday, including help from out of state. A team of twenty wildland firefighters from Montana is expected Friday.

    Two Chinook and two Blackhawk helicopters from the New York Army National Guard were involved in the day’s operations, dropping $118 worth of water, a total of 170,000 gallons.

    At the time of Howley’s update, there were no evacuations and no buildings were “in immediate danger.” Orange & Rockland is expected to keep power on for residents Friday unless “something changes that causes the power to be turned off,” Howley said. “O&R will notify residents as soon as possible with a robocall,

    “Remember to be proactive and make sure all your electrical appliances are fully charged.”

    “If firefighting continues (Friday), there will be traffic congestion and smoke and particulate matter in the area,” Howley said. “East Shore Road will remain closed tomorrow, as will the Greenwood Lake School District.”

    On the New Jersey side of the wildfire battle, the fire was 75% contained as of 7:45 p.m. Thursday, according to the New Jersey Forest Fire Service.

    The city of Tuxedo announced Thursday that “smoke jumpers,” trained experts who specialize in wildfires, will be brought in from western and midwestern states to “step up the attack and make a hard push to bring the entire fire to its knees.” ‘.

    Smoke jumpers will help burn about 1,500 acres from Greenwood Lake to the fire tower at Sterling Lake on Friday, and from the fire tower to Long Meadow Road on Saturday.

    Orange County Executive Steve Neuhaus said Thursday that crews would continue to “fight fire with fire” while conducting controlled burns to remove debris around the fire line, creating more visible fire and smoky conditions in the area. as well as an increase in the total area. from the fire.

    Hudson Valley weather: Less wind, warmer weekend temperatures but no rain. See prediction

    Orange County declares a state of emergency

    Neuhaus declared a state of emergency Wednesday evening after a week-long effort to control the fire, which the statement said was nearly 41% contained.

    “I want everyone to stay calm,” Neuhaus said in a video on Facebook on Wednesday. “When I declare a state of emergency and that process, it doesn’t mean that people have to panic. It means that I have to declare a state of emergency to do certain things.”

    Neuhaus said the state of emergency was necessary to implement certain safety measures, including closing East Shore Road in Greenwood Lake from 32 Edgemere Avenue to the north entrance to Woods Road, so firefighters could work the area.

    The state of emergency also required Greenwood Lake Schools to close Thursday and Friday and halted bus service until Monday, Nov. 18.

    New York State Department of Conservation officials said crews were successful in holding the fireline Wednesday and said the fire produced “negligible incremental gains.”

    “There’s still a lot burning,” Neuhaus said after he was able to survey the entire fire from the air on Wednesday. “But there is still an overwhelming amount of area that is not on fire.”

    New York State Department of Environmental Conservation officials said the wildfire was still contained within Sterling Forest State Park and had been successfully contained by fire lines. As of 11:30 a.m. Thursday, no buildings were reportedly threatened in New York.

    The New York State Parks Department is temporarily closing “all activities in the forest area of ​​the park.” The visitor center, lakeside area and historic oven area would remain open.

    Neuhaus said Chinook helicopters, which can carry 2,000 gallons of water, were in the air around the fire Thursday, along with Army National Guard and state police helicopters that have been conducting water drops for several days. A total of 166 buckets were thrown onto the fire on Wednesday afternoon, with a capacity of approximately 600 liters each.

    Weather forecasts do not provide immediate relief for drought conditions

    As containment efforts continue in the Jennings Creek fire, weather forecasts indicate continued dry conditions in the Lower Hudson Valley. The next few days are expected to be mild and windy, with virtually no chance of rain forecast over the next week.

    At a news conference on Tuesday about ongoing efforts to battle the Jennings Creek wildfires in New York and New Jersey, Gov. Kathy Hochul said 2024 was one of the driest months on record in the Empire State.

    The Hudson Valley is under a Level 2 drought watch by the NYSDEC and a Red Flag Wildfire Watch by the National Weather Service. The level 2 designation indicates a severe drought.

    Hochul placed the entire state under a temporary fire ban on Tuesday due to persistent dry conditions, which increase the risk of wildfires. She encouraged New Yorkers to conserve water.

    The statewide burn ban prohibits any form of outdoor burning.

    “Don’t leave campfires (unattended),” Hochul said. “Exercise extreme caution with outdoor grills.”

    More: These maintenance tips can help keep your home safe during wildfire season

    What the NYSDEC says you can do to save water

    The state DEC provided these tips on saving water at home:

    • Water lawns only when necessary, choose watering methods that avoid waste, and water early in the morning to reduce evaporation and maximize hydration.
    • Choose to reuse water collected in rain barrels, dehumidifiers or air conditioners to water your plants.
    • Increase the cutting height of your lawn mower because longer grass is healthier, meaning it has stronger roots and requires less water.
    • Use a broom instead of a hose to clean your driveway and sidewalk.
    • Repair any leaking pipes, hoses and faucets in your home.

    Contributing: USA TODAY Network New York reporter Emily Barnes.

    Vaseline
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