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    • ‘Smoke jumpers’ from western states to be brought to Orange County NY
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    ‘Smoke jumpers’ from western states to be brought to Orange County NY

    Harry Posted on

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    The fight against wildfire along the New Jersey/New York border continued Thursday after Orange County declared a state of emergency and crews successfully held the line of fire for another night.

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

    Read on for updates on the Jennings Creek wildfire.

    Thursday’s burn operations, which included tactical efforts on the ground and in the air, allowed crews to make significant progress in fighting the Jennings Creek fire.

    According to the post made by Greenwood Lake mayor Tom Howley, 69% of the fire, which burned 4,756 acres as of 19.30, is now under control.

    “We hope everyone will sleep a little better tonight with this positive news,” 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 across New York on Friday, including aid from out of state. A team of 20 wildland firefighters is expected to arrive from Montana on Friday.

    Two Chinook and two Blackhawk helicopters from the New York Army National Guard participated in operations that day, dropping a total of 170,000 gallons of water.

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

    “Remember to be proactive and make sure all your electrical appliances are fully charged.”

    “As firefighting efforts continue (on Friday), there will be traffic congestion, smoke and particulate matter in the area,” Howley said. “East Shore Road and Greenwood Lake School District will remain closed tomorrow.”

    On the New Jersey side of the firefight, As of 19:45 on Thursday, 75% of the fire was under controlAccording to the New Jersey Forest Fire Service.

    The Town of Tuxedo announced Thursday that “smoke jumpers,” trained experts who specialize in wildfires, would be brought in from western and Midwestern states to “step up the attack and put a hard push to bring the entire fire to its knees.”

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

    Orange County Executive Steve Neuhaus said crews will continue to “fight fire with fire” on Thursday by conducting controlled burns to clear debris around the fire line, creating more visible fire and smoky conditions in the area as well as increasing total acreage. from fire.

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

    A state of emergency declared in Orange County

    Neuhaus declared a state of emergency Wednesday evening after a week-long effort to contain the fire, which was close to 41% contained as of the declaration.

    “I want everyone to stay calm,” Neuhaus said in a video posted to Facebook on Wednesday. “I don’t declare a state of emergency and that process doesn’t mean people should panic. It means I have to declare a state of emergency to do some things.”

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

    The state of emergency also mandated the closure of Greenwood Lake Schools on Thursday and Friday and the suspension of bus service until Monday, November 18.

    New York State Department of Conservation officials said crews managed to hold the line of fire overnight Wednesday and that the fire made “negligible incremental gains.”

    “There’s still a lot of burning,” Neuhaus said after surveying the entire fire from the air Wednesday. “But there’s still a huge amount of area that hasn’t been burned.”

    New York State Department of Environmental Conservation officials said the wildfire remains within Sterling Forest State Park and was successfully contained with fire lines. It was reported that no structures in New York were under threat as of 11.30 on Thursday.

    The New York State parks department is temporarily “closing all activities within the park’s forest area.” The visitor center, lakeside area and historic bakery area will remain open.

    Neuhaus said Thursday that Chinook helicopters, which can carry 2,000 gallons of water, as well as Army National Guard and State Police helicopters, have been in the air around the fire, which has been dropping water for several days. A total of 166 buckets, each with a capacity of about 600 gallons, were thrown at the fire Wednesday afternoon.

    Weather forecast does not provide immediate solution for drought conditions

    As containment efforts continue in the fight against the Jennings Creek fire, Weather forecast calls for dry conditions continuing in the Lower Hudson Valley. The coming days are expected to be warm and windy, and almost no rain is expected next week.

    One Tuesday press conference Addressing ongoing efforts to combat the Jennings Creek wildfire in New York and New Jersey, Gov. Kathy Hochul said 2024 is seeing one of the driest months on record in the Empire State.

    The Hudson Valley is under a level 2 drought watch by NYSDEC and a red flag wildfire watch by the National Weather Service. The Level 2 designation indicates a severe drought.

    Hochul placed the entire state under a temporary burn ban on Tuesday due to ongoing dry conditions, increasing the risk of wildfire. He encouraged New Yorkers to save water.

    The statewide burn ban bans all outdoor burning.

    “Don’t leave campfires (unattended),” Hochul said. “Be very careful with outdoor grills.”

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

    NYSDEC says what you can do to save water

    The state DEC offered these tips for saving water at home:

    • Water the lawn only when necessary, choose watering methods that prevent waste, and water 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.
    • Increase the cutting height of your lawn mower as taller grass is healthier, meaning it has stronger roots and needs less water.
    • Use a broom instead of a hose to clean your driveway and sidewalk.
    • Repair leaking pipes, hoses and faucets in your home.

    Contributed by USA TODAY Network New York correspondent Emily Barnes.

    Harry
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