Jennings Creek Wildfire scorches 3,500 acres in New York, New Jersey
PASSAIC COUNTY, New Jersey (WABC) -- Fire crews are continuing to fight a blaze in New York and New Jersey on Monday that killed a parks employee and postponed Veterans Day plans.
As of Monday evening, the Jennings Creek Wildfire has scorched 3,500 acres total between the New Jersey and New York sides, but the New Jersey Department of Environmental Preservation said they anticipate the wildfire will grow to at least 5,000 acres before reaching 100% containment.
Officials estimate that it's about 20% contained.
"We have tapped into every asset we could possibly think of. They're on the ground, they're not going anywhere, and, I want to point out that this is the largest fire in our state since 2008. So, we have not seen anything of this scale," Gov. Kathy Hochul said. "This is the time for people to be very, very careful about what they're doing so we don't contribute to the challenges that we're dealing with right now trying to stop the spread."
The fire started near the intersection of Lake to Lake Trail and the West Valley Trail in New York State, and then spread to New Jersey. The cause is unknown.
The fire is blamed for the death of a New York State Parks employee. New York State Police identified the 18-year-old as Dariel Vasquez, an employee of the New York State Parks, Recreation, and Historic Preservation Department. Officials say he was hit by a tree while working with firefighters.
The East Ramapo Central School District told Eyewitness News that Vasquez was a graduate of the Class of 2024. A Go Fund Me campaign in the fallen volunteer firefighter's name has, so far, raised more than $45,000.
"Many of those personnel currently engaged with the fires are veterans themselves, and right now we need to keep them in our thoughts as they spend many hours, day and night, doing all they can in order protect our great communities in that area," he posted online.
Crews are severely undermanned as most are just volunteer firefighters. Despite the lack of efficient help, efforts to protect nearby homes continued Monday.
"In my over 50 years of living here this has been the most significant and potentially dangerous situation I've seen or been involved in," Greenwood Lake Mayor Thomas Howley said.
Sunday night's light rain did little to minimize the spread of the wildfire, but it did offer a brief respite for the roughly 230 personnel who traveled from near and far to help tackle one of the worst natural disasters the are has experienced in decades.
"These local resources have been running and gone up since Saturday when this when this thing really blew up," said Bryan Gallagher of New York State Forest Rangers. "So, that gives us a little time to take a little breather. But tomorrow, the winds come back."
The fire has gotten into the roots of the trees, and can spread underground.
"It's like putting a Band-Aid on something. It will help, any kind of wet will help but the forest does not look great for the next couple of days. It looks dry. It looks not so humid. We'll take any water we get and we certainly need a lot of it," Howley said.
On Monday night, some West Milford residents picked up items to donate to first responders. Carol Johansson has two firefighters in her family.
"I know what it's like to wait for your husband and your son to come home," she said.
A burn ban has been in place since October 29 and officials continue to urge residents to not start fires or use grills.
Since October 1, the NJ Forest Fire Service has responded to 537 wildfires that have burned 4,500 acres in total across the state. In the same time frame, there have been 60 wildfires in New York that have collectively burned more than 2,100 acres.
OTHER WILDFIRES
Pompton Lakes Wildfire
The fire in Pompton Lakes was 100% contained as of 6:30 p.m,. Sunday, according to the New Jersey Forest Fire Service.
The 181-acre wildfire was burning in the area of Cannonball Road.
Early on in the fire fight, there were 55 structures threatened, but no structures were evacuated.
The cause of the fire remains under investigation.
Palisades Interstate Parkway Wildfire
By 4 p.m. on Saturday, the NJ Forest Fire Service said it had contained 75% of the 39-acre wildfire burning near the Palisades Interstate Parkway in Englewood Cliffs, Bergen County.
There are currently no structures threatened and no evacuation orders.
The cause of the fire remains under investigation.
Jackson Township Wildfire
By 6:30 p.m. on Friday, the Shotgun Wildfire has burned 350 acres and is now 90% contained in Jackson Township, Ocean County,
A man from Brick Township, New Jersey was charged with arson in connection to the Jackson Township wildfire.
Police say Richard Shashaty, 37, started the fire on Wednesday when he shot a gun, igniting the flames with the ammo. He will also face weapons charges in addition to the arson charge.
Shashaty surrendered himself to police on Saturday, and is currently in jail awaiting a hearing.
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