WARWICK, New York (WABC) — The Jennings Creek Fire continued to grow along the New York-New Jersey border Thursday, but progress is being made to contain it.

Officials said late Wednesday that 4,383 acres were burning — including 2,100 acres in New York and 2,283 in New Jersey.

However, significant progress has been made to extinguish the fire, with containment rising from 30% to 50% by Wednesday evening.

Because of the fire, there is no school in the Greenwood Lake Union Free School District on Thursday and Friday.

Firefighting activities, including back burning, will create additional smoke in the area.

The district’s two schools will be closed as forecast conditions mean: “There will be a lot more smoke in the area tomorrow. There will be bigger flames on the side of the mountain.”

The district has only two schools, a primary school and a secondary school. Decisions on next week will be made over the weekend.

For high school, students choose to attend Chester Academy or Warwick High School. Those school districts are open, but the Greenwood district will not provide transportation to those high schools the rest of the week.

In New Jersey, officials say two residential structures are currently under threat, but no evacuations have been ordered.

There has been no significant rain since September, creating very dry conditions and dry leaves on the ground — prompting New Jersey officials to issue a drought warning Wednesday.

“New Jersey is experiencing unprecedented weather conditions as a result of climate change that require us to take these precautions now,” said Governor Phil Murphy. “It may be difficult to adapt our daily habits, but it is imperative that we all work together, heed guidance to conserve water and use the utmost caution outdoors to reduce fire risk as dry conditions continue in the whole state”.

Following Murphy’s announcement of a drought warning, the state’s largest water utility has now issued a statewide mandatory conservation notice.

“We are committed to responsible water management and stand ready to support Governor Murphy and the NJ DEP’s action to move New Jersey to Drought Warning status,” said Mark McDonough, president of New Jersey American Water. “Our customers can trust that we are closely monitoring water conditions and are prepared to take additional steps to support water conservation efforts nationwide. However, it is essential that everyone works together and conserves water now.”

New Jersey residents are urged to avoid outdoor fires and light fires in fire pits, let lawns go dormant for the season, winterize irrigation systems, water flowers and shrubs only when necessary, repair faucets that flow and upgrade to low flow versions.

New Jersey’s last Statewide Drought Emergency with mandatory water use restrictions began in March 2002 and lasted until January 2003. The last time there was a Drought Watch in the state was in 2022, beginning in August and was lifted in December.

On Wednesday evening, New York’s Rockland County issued a drought alert, encouraging residents to conserve water.

“In 2022, when this county faced a water emergency, the people of Rockland stepped in to do the right thing and cut water use 15 percent below average,” said County Executive Ed Day Rockland. “I’m once again asking our residents to do their part and reduce water use until we get through this drought.”

Gov. Kathy Hochul said the fire is one of 11 burning in the state and conditions remain dire. It has issued a nationwide burn ban until November 30.

“It is essential to avoid any open burning at this time. Remember to report any fire to the authorities immediately, stay alert and monitor the local forecast and law enforcement alerts.” she said.

The ban bans open fires nationwide to clear brush and debris, as well as uncontrolled campfires, recreational fires and open fires used for cooking. Backyard fire pits and campfires less than three feet high and four feet in length, width or diameter are permitted, as are small cooking fires.

New Jersey has issued a burn ban in October.

The Jennings Creek Fire started burning in Orange County, New York, and Passaic County, New Jersey over the weekend.

fire claimed the life of an 18-year-old volunteer firefighter, Daniel Vasquez.

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