CNN
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A New York State Forest Ranger volunteer died while responding to a wildfire near the New York-New Jersey border that caused smoke to drift across New York City, according to authorities.

Greenwood Lake, New York, announced the death on: social media on Saturday but did not disclose the volunteer’s name.

“Unfortunately, we have received word that a NYS Ranger Volunteer has died in the line of duty,” Mayor Tom Howley wrote in the post. “We extend our deepest condolences to his family and fellow rangers.”

Crews were working to extinguish the fire and were in “good condition” due to favorable weather conditions in the area as of Saturday night, the post said.

Greenwood Lake is a village located along the New York-New Jersey line, approximately 35 miles northwest of New York City.

New York Governor Kathy Hochul said she was “deeply saddened” by the death.

“I admire his commitment and courage on the front lines to serve and protect his fellow New Yorkers,” he said in a statement. “New York is currently battling numerous wildfires due to the dry conditions we are facing. Our state employees are working around the clock to protect our communities, and we are keeping them in our thoughts as they risk their lives to stop the spread of these wildfires.”

The death was attributed to the Jennings Creek Fire burning in the area of ​​Greenwood Lake Turnpike and East Shore Road in West Milford in Passaic County. The fire is also burning in Orange County, New York, according to the New Jersey Forest Fire Service.

The fire destroyed 2000 acres of land and could not be brought under control. Fire Service in question. While at least 10 structures are in danger of fire, no structures have been evacuated yet. The cause of the fire is being investigated.

Andrew Meher, a resident of West Milford, New Jersey, on the shores of Greenwood Lake, took photos of the fire and said the smell of smoke was distinct in the air.

On Saturday, smoke from the fire drifted toward New York City, creating a stench of smoke in the area. The province has issued a health advisory regarding air quality, advising people to consider limiting strenuous physical activity outdoors, especially for those sensitive to the effects of high levels of pollutants.

The Jennings Creek Fire was one of several blazes across the mid-Atlantic and northeast this weekend amid intense drought and high winds.

A brush fire in Brooklyn’s Prospect Park on Friday night burned through two acres of extremely dry vegetation, prompting firefighters to battle the blaze for more than three hours, the New York Fire Department said.

Dry weather, high winds and ongoing drought across the region prompted red flag warnings for more than 50 million people across the region on Friday, including Washington D.C., Philadelphia, New York and Boston. As of Sunday, approximately 12 million people are under red flag warning in Massachusetts, Connecticut and Rhode Island.

The Northeast experienced incredibly dry weather, leading to an ongoing drought that provided plenty of fuel for new wildfires to begin.

New York’s second-longest drought streak, lasting 29 consecutive days, ended on October 28, when the city received only 0.01 inch of precipitation. Precipitation in the city has been significantly below average since September 1. New York City’s Central Park has seen 1.59 inches of precipitation since then, nearly 8 inches below normal.

Due to this lack of rainfall, drought numbers are increasing significantly in the Northeast. As of November 5, approximately 55% of the region was in some form of drought.

“With recent drought conditions, numerous wildfires have broken out across the state, and we have deployed state assets and agencies to coordinate with local first responders in combating these fires and closely monitor air quality as a result.” Hochul said in his statement:.

“The safety of all New Yorkers is my top priority, and I urge everyone in affected areas, especially those who are vulnerable, to remain vigilant, monitor air quality, and take necessary precautions to stay safe.”