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West Milford fire is 0% contained and 2,500 acres in size

Harry November 12, 2024

3 minute read

Although much needed, the rains predicted for Sunday night will not be the answer to the massive wildfire in West Milford, State Forest Fire Service officials said.

The fire, which started Friday, has reached 2,500 acres with 0% containment, officials said at a press conference held Sunday afternoon at Ringwood State Park. The fire, called the Jennings Creek Wildfire, originated east of Greenwood Lake in New York state and spread over a large area of Sterling Forest in northern Passaic County, driven by northerly winds.

While the rain forecast was welcome, the state’s Wildfire Service chief, Bill Donnelly, said heavy rains were needed to end the ongoing threat.

“New Jersey hasn’t seen anything this dry since we started keeping records,” he said. “The fire does not only burn above the ground, it also burns underground. Therefore, it takes a lot of effort to extinguish these fires.”

Still, Donnelly said the Jennings Creek Fire is expected to be under control by the end of the week, if not sooner. As of Sunday afternoon, Donnelly said he did not expect any home evacuations in New Jersey due to the fire.

Donnelly said of possible evacuations: “If the fire cooperates and things go as planned, I don’t see that as a problem for anyone.” “There will definitely be smoke in the areaand you will see things burning on the roads… but I assure you, everything is going well.”

Chris Franek, assistant fire warden with the New Jersey Forest Fire Service, said crews were deployed along East Shore Road in West Milford, near the Monksville Reservoir and in remote terrain near the New York state border to prevent the spread.

Forest ranger killed

New York State Ranger Jeremy Oldroyd expressed his condolences Sunday to the family of 18-year-old volunteer firefighter Dariel Vasquez, who was killed Saturday while battling flames in the Sterling Forest.

Vasquez, a parks and recreation assistant for the New York State Parks Department and a 2024 graduate of Ramapo High School in New York state, died at the scene after being struck by a falling tree. New York Governor Kathy Hochul offered her condolences and praised Vasquez’s determination and courage. New York State Police are investigating his death, Oldroyd said.

Late Sunday morning, West Milford Mayor Michele Dale said crews had been deployed to critical locations and additional resources were available. Dozens of fire crews from Bergen, Morris and Sussex counties joined those from West Milford and surrounding towns.

While no evacuations are on the cards, Dale said residents will be notified through OEM, Nixle and door-to-door visits if evacuations are necessary. He also said controlled back burns were planned to help control the spread and firefighting crews were deployed to protect structures in the area.

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Historical places are under threat

The fire has already threatened two residences and eight historic buildings in the Long Pond Ironworks Historic District near the Monksville Reservoir and Ringwood border. State fire crews as well as local fire departments were working on site with the support of a helicopter capable of carrying a 350-gallon water payload.

East Shore Road from Awosting Road to Greenwood Lake Turnpike; Beech Road and other roads nearby. All roads in Long Pond Ironworks State Park and Tranquility Ridge are closed.

NJ wildfires

A red flag warning remained in effect Sunday afternoon in New Jersey and neighboring states as drought conditions increased the risk of high fires. Stage 3 fire restrictions banning open burning were also in effect except gas, propane or electric grillsViolations will result in a fine of up to $1,200.

Rain forecast late Sunday may help relieve some pressure, but containment remains challenging as drought conditions persist across the state, officials said.

The Jennings Creek Wildfire remains under investigation, officials said Sunday afternoon. It was about 10 acres in size when it was first discovered in a remote area of northeast West Milford, Franek said. Bulldozers and manpower were deployed to the area, but windy conditions combined with the region’s extreme inaccessibility accelerated the spread, he added.

The fire was the largest of nine wildfires that broke out in New Jersey on Sunday. All intensified by dry conditions and high winds.

Initial reports from the West Milford Office of Emergency Management on Friday described the Jennings Creek Fire as a “large brush fire” with no structure threat at the time. But on Saturday afternoon, as the fire grew and conditions worsened, officials confirmed the structure needed to be protected. Local fire companies from across the region are assisting in these efforts.

A fire near Pompton Lakes had spread to about 175 acres Sunday afternoon, officials said. They added that about 75% of the fire was under control.