New York Wildfire Forces 160 Evacuations as Northeast Remains at Risk
Firefighters were operating under high risk that flames would spread Sunday as they took on a wildfire on the New York-New Jersey border that broke a containment line and prompted more than 160 homes to be evacuated the previous night.
Emergency responders initiated voluntary evacuations Saturday night to protect residents and allow firefighters to combat the flames more effectively. Efforts overnight succeeded in safeguarding structures, and no homes are currently in danger, Warwick, New York Supervisor Jesse Dwyer announced in a Facebook update. Residents have since been allowed to return, though the evacuation order remains in effect until Monday as a precaution.
“Efforts overnight by both local and regional firefighters to protect structures were successful, and no structures are presently in danger,” Dwyer noted.
The fire prompted officials to declare a state of emergency in Orange County, and shelters were established for displaced residents, including one at a local middle school. Viktoria Kall, who evacuated with her family, told CBS News, “We got home, packed up the essentials, important papers, and came here around midnight.”
Firefighting Efforts and Weather Challenges
Fire crews are employing aerial water drops using New York Air National Guard helicopters and have successfully surrounded the wildfire with fire lines. However, the breach in the containment line required an urgent response, though the flames did not reach a secondary contingency line, according to the New York State Park Police.
Weather conditions continue to hinder suppression efforts. The National Weather Service warned of elevated wildfire risks across parts of New Jersey and southeastern New York, as ongoing drought conditions and dry weather exacerbate the situation. No significant rainfall is forecast until Thursday, prolonging the threat.
Regional Fire Risks
New York Governor Kathy Hochul recently imposed a statewide ban on outdoor burning through November due to the drought. In New York City, brush fires have surged dramatically, with the Fire Department of New York (FDNY) responding to 229 incidents in just two weeks from October 29 to November 11.
To address the rising threat, the FDNY has launched a specialized brush fire task force consisting of fire marshals, inspectors, and tactical drone units. The department is also conducting safety outreach citywide. Recent fires in Manhattan’s Inwood Hill Park and Brooklyn’s Prospect Park, as well as brush fires near Amtrak tracks in the Bronx, have disrupted train services and heightened public concern.
The Northeast’s ongoing drought underscores the urgency of fire prevention measures as firefighters continue their battle to contain the Jennings Creek Wildfire and protect nearby communities.
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