Some residents being asked to evacuate near Greenwood Lake fire
WARWICK, New York (WABC) -- Some residents in Warwick, New York were asked to voluntarily evacuate on Saturday night after the wildfire in Greenwood Lake jumped one of the initial lines between 32 Edgemere and Wah Ta Wah Park.
The Village of Greenwood Lake said in a Facebook post that residents on Edgemere Avenue were requested to evacuate. Residents north of 42 Edgemere may evacuate by their vehicles, while residents from 32 to 42 Edgemere were being provided transportation.
The evacuation site is the Greenwood Lake Middle School at 1247 Lakes Rd. Pets are welcome at the shelter, officials said.
Residents in Wah Ta Wah were also asked to evacuate as of 9:30 p.m. Saturday. This includes homes from 32 Edgemere Ave to Emerald Point. Sylvan Park (Rumsey) was not included in this evacation.
The evacuation shelter site will be the Greenwood Lake Middle School located at 1247 Lakes Rd. Pets are welcome at the shelter.
Police and EMS units are available to assist residents leaving the area. Residents are asked to contact the Warwick Police Dept at 845-986-5000 or the Greenwood Lake Police Dept if special requests or assistance is needed in evacuating.
New York State Police are assiting the Town of Warwick Police with the voluntary evacuation and the State Police Drone Unit is on scene providing aerial assessments.
Around 6:30 p.m. Saturday evening, flames breached a line that firefighters created to act as a buffer between the wildfire and the residential neighborhood of Wah Ta Wah Park. Officials say wind played a role.
The wildfire had been 88 percent contained on the New York side as of Friday, but this was a setback.
"We're essentially requiring an evacuation at this point just out of an abundance of caution to make sure residents have plenty of time to leave their homes, get their belongings and come up with a plan, which hopefully they've already established," said Town of Warwick Supervisor Jesse Dwyer.
There are concerns that wind could cause the fire to continue to spread and threaten structures overnight.
"We certainly hope and believe that these homes will not be impacted by the fire, but our main priority now is getting fire apparatus into the neighborhoods that could be affected by this fire, and it would be much easier for these firefighters to work and for us to feel at peace knowing that these residents have left already," Dwyer added.
The fire claimed the life of an 18-year-old volunteer firefighter, Dariel Vasquez.
The fire's cause remains under investigation.
ALSO READ: Woman who inspired #OomphForKaty campaign opens up about her cancer treatment journey, motherhood
----------
* Get Eyewitness News Delivered
* Download the abc7NY app for breaking news alerts
Submit a tip or story idea to Eyewitness News
Have a breaking news tip or an idea for a story we should cover? Send it to Eyewitness News using the form below. If attaching a video or photo, terms of use apply.
