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    • “Smoke Jumpers” from the Western States will be brought to Orange County NY
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    “Smoke Jumpers” from the Western States will be brought to Orange County NY

    Online Niel Posted on

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    The fight 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 fire line for another night.

    As of Thursday morning, the fire was said to be 2 miles away from the town of Tuxedo, according to New York State Department of Conservation Officer Jeff Wernick. Tuxedo is less than 7 miles from the Rockland County border.

    Read on for updates on the Jennings Creek fire.

    Thursday’s attrition operations, which involved tactical ground and air efforts, allowed crews to make significant progress fighting the Jennings Creek Fire.

    According to a post by Greenwood Lake Mayor Tom Howley, the fire, which had burned 4,756 acres as of 7:30 p.m., is now 69 percent contained.

    “Hopefully, with this positive news, everyone will sleep a little better tonight,” Howley wrote.

    More than 300 firefighters from six state agencies, as well as dozens of volunteer fire companies, were part of Thursday’s suppression operations. Additional support is expected to arrive from New York on Friday, including help from out of state. A team of 20 firefighters from Montana is expected on Friday.

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

    At the time of Howley’s update, there were no evacuations in place and no structures “at immediate risk.” Orange & Rockland is expected to keep power on for residents Friday unless “something changes that forces the disconnect,” Howley said. “O&R will notify residents with an automated call as soon as possible,

    “Remember to be proactive and make sure all electrical (devices) are fully charged.”

    “As 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 well as the Greenwood Lake School District.”

    On the New Jersey side of the wildfire fight, The fire was 75 percent contained as of 7:45 p.m. Thursdayaccording to the New Jersey Wildfire Service.

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

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

    Orange County Executive Steve Neuhaus said crews would continue to “fight the fire” Thursday as they conducted controlled burns to remove debris around the fire line, creating more visible fire and smoky conditions for the area, as and an increase in total surface area. of the fire.

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

    Orange County declares a state of emergency

    Neuhaus declared a state of emergency Wednesday night after a week-long effort to contain the fire, which at the time of the declaration was 41 percent contained.

    “I want everyone to stay calm,” Neuhaus said in a Facebook video Wednesday. “When I declare the state of emergency and this process, it does not mean that people need to panic. It means I have to declare a state of emergency to do certain things.”

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

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

    New York State Department of Conservation officials said crews were able to hold the fire line overnight Wednesday and said the fire had made “negligible gains.”

    “There’s still a lot of burning,” Neuhaus said after getting an aerial view of the entire fire Wednesday. “But there’s still an overwhelming amount of area that isn’t burning.”

    New York State Department of Environmental Conservation officials said the fire continued to remain in Sterling Forest State Park and was successfully contained by fire lines. As of 11:30 a.m. Thursday, no structures were threatened in New York.

    The New York State Parks Department is “temporarily closing all activities in the wooded area of ​​the park.” The visitor center, lakefront area and historic furnace 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 making water drops for several days. A total of 166 buckets were dropped on the fire Wednesday afternoon, holding about 600 gallons each.

    The weather forecast does not offer immediate relief for drought conditions

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

    At a Tuesday’s press conference Addressing ongoing efforts to battle the Jennings Creek Fire in New York and New Jersey, Governor Kathy Hochul said 2024 was one of the driest months on record in the Empire State.

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

    Hochul placed the entire state under a temporary burn ban on Tuesday due to ongoing dry conditions, which increases the risk of wildfires. She encouraged New Yorkers to save water.

    The statewide burn ban prohibits outdoor burning of any kind.

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

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

    What NYSDEC says you can do to conserve water

    The state DEC offered these tips on conserving water at home:

    • Water the lawn only when needed, choosing watering methods that avoid wastage and watering early in the morning to reduce evaporation and maximize hydration.
    • Opt to reuse water collected in rain barrels, dehumidifiers or air conditioners to water your plants.
    • Raise the cutting height of your machine. to mow because longer grass is healthier, which means it has stronger roots and requires less water.
    • Use a broom instead of a hose to clean your driveway and sidewalk.
    • Fix any leaking pipes, hoses and faucets in your home.

    Contributing: USA TODAY Network New York reporter Emily Barnes.

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