Race to contain Jennings Creek fire continues; Hochul announces burn ban

WEST MILFORD, N.J. — New York Gov. Kathy Hochul visited the site of a deadly 5,000-acre wildfire that’s burning along the New York-New Jersey border Tuesday. 
Officials say the fire is about 20% contained and said they have made progress, but strong winds are hampering their efforts to bring the fire completely under control. 
Those winds are bringing the smoke to the Jersey side of the border, where Gov. Phil Murphy declared a drought warning on Wednesday. 
New York state forest ranger Dariel Vasquez, 18, was killed battling the Jennings Creek fire when he was struck by a falling tree Saturday. A memorial was held Monday for Vasquez, a 2024 Ramapo High school graduate.
The governor described the conditions firefighters and other first responders are dealing with as “frightening,” and lauded the volunteer firefighters who have come from all over the state to battle the wildfire. She also explained what’s being done from the air as well as on the ground.
“We are there until the end,” Hochul said.
The governor described the current conditions as “pretty dire,” and said the drought that is plaguing the Tri-State Area “has been a challenge for us,” as firefighters and state workers continue to try to get the upper hand on the blaze.
“Unfortunately, there is no significant rainfall predicted in the immediate forecast,” Hochul said. “It is absolutely critical that New Yorkers avoid any outdoor burning at this time. We are announcing today a statewide burn ban because the threats are too great and we cannot have our resources directed to smaller fires. We need everybody, all hands on deck on the major fires we have right here.”
Hochul said expected winds of 25-35 mph in the area of the wildfire will cause, “turmoil, chaos and a lot of uncertainty that we don’t need right now.”
She added because the state could see an atypical winter, water conservation efforts could continue for months.
“We will not leave this crisis until we feel comfortable that everyone and every property is safe,” Hochul said.
Tuesday’s Red Flag Warning due to windy conditions is causing problems for crews battling the blaze. The smoke is more intense on the Jersey side, as the winds blow from the northwest. 
Flames are threatening more than two dozen structures. 
On Monday, firefighters got a bit of help from some much-needed rain. 
Firefighters in two states have been throwing everything they have at the blaze, including hundreds of first responders, dozens of hand crews, and several engines and helicopters. More than 100 buckets of water were dropped by choppers on the fire Monday, New York State Park Police said. 
Officials said they’re zeroing in on the exact location where the fire started, but actually reaching the area to investigate is very challenging due to rough, mountain terrain where there are no roads. Firefighters are at times using shovels to battle the fire — all while carrying 80-90 pounds of gear on their backs. 
“It’s extremely limited and a wilderness setting for us to get up there, so it’s making access to fight the fire hard — hard to get equipment in there because some areas are too steep for bulldozers to go to. So it is somebody on the ground, digging fire lines, choking on smoke and dust, trying to suppress this fire with manual labor,” New Jersey Fire Service Commander Christopher Franek said. 
The New York state Department of Correction SWAT team suited up to help fight the fire Tuesday. 
“Feel good. Got the team behind me. Got the guys behind me, trust them, they trust me, gonna get the job done,” Correction Officer Will Gonzalez said. 
Their gear includes a quick-release fire shelter – a sobering reminder of the potential danger. It provides a safe space to hide under if a firefighter becomes surrounded by flames. 
Fire companies from as far away as Suffolk County are sending crews and equipment to help with the effort in Orange County. 
“It’s very nice to see the resources that we’re getting, and all the people coming out to help. It has been unbelievable,” Greenwood Lake resident Joan Ryan said. 
Flames came with a few hundred yards of her home over the weekend. 
“We all have been very anxious. None of us are getting a lot of rest,” Ryan said. 
Greenwood Lake School District’s middle school opened on a two-hour delay Tuesday.  
Area trails have been closed, and the county is warning people not to come into the area. 
“This is not the time for fire sightseeing. This is the time to set back, and let our folks do their job,” said Scott Barlett of the Passaic County Board of Commissioners. 
On Monday night, New Jersey set back burns to prevent the fire from spreading to homes along East Shore Drive, and to several historical structures within the Long Pond Ironworks Historic District. 
So far, no evacuations have been ordered. 
“It’s very emotional. We live just over the hill so we’re in danger that way, and this is where my family was born and raised, in this community,” Ringwood resident Debbie Van Dunk said. 
Van Dunk is worried about the thick smoke hovering over the Monksville reservoir next to the Long Pond Ironworks Historic District. 
“My mom died here. My brother died here. My borther was born here. Seven generations live here forever,” she said. “We’ve always been here. We’re called the Rampough Mountain Indians. My grandparents, my grandfather worked for the mines.” 
Ramapo College student Nitin Shukla took photos of firefighter efforts. 
“Last night I was here, and this entire hill was on fire,” Shukla said. 
Residents say they see the thick smoke all the way to Bergen County. 
“It’s bad. You can smell it,” Thomas Parken said. 
There’s anxiety about the winds pushing the flames toward Tuxedo, New York – population 3,800. 
“We had a little bit of rain in the last 48 hours, but not enough to extinguish the fires. And unfortunately, there’s no significant rainfall in the immediate forecast,” Hochul said.