Fire Weather Watch: Jennings Creek wildfire prompts voluntary evacuations, updates, forecast

Exhausted crews worn out battling NJ, NY wildfires

The NYC Tri-State is the driest it’s been in nearly 120 years, creating perfect conditions for wildfires to spark and grow. FOX 5 NY’s Richard Giacovas reports from Greenwood Lake, New York, talking to exhausted crews and sharing updates from the ground.

NEW YORK - Voluntary evacuations were put in place for more than 100 homes in Orange County, New York on Saturday night.

The voluntary evacuation enacted out of "an abundance of caution" impacted about 165 houses in Warwick, New York, as firefighters continued working to tame the Jennings Creek blaze, New York Parks Department spokesman Jeff Wernick said in an email Saturday night.

No structures were in danger as of Sunday afternoon as firefighters worked to tame the Jennings Creek blaze, New York Parks Department spokesman Jeff Wernick said. The voluntary evacuation will remain in place at least until Monday, Wernick said.

Forest rangers from the New York Department of Environmental Conservation are leading wildfire relief efforts, coordinating with firefighters and deploying Chinook and Blackhawk helicopters from the New York Air National Guard to perform water drops. Officials warn that planned burnout operations may increase visible smoke in the area.

The wildfire had burned 7 1/2 square miles (19.4 square kilometers) across the two states as of Friday and was burning primarily in New York's Sterling Forest State Park, where the visitor center, the lakefront area at Greenwood Lake and a historic furnace area remained open. Woodland activities including hunting were halted, Wernick said.

According to the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, the Jennings Creek wildfire has burned 5,207 acres and is 88% contained.

It was 90% contained on the Passaic County, New Jersey, side of the border, and about 88% contained in Orange County, New York, officials said. New York Army National Guard and state police helicopters dropped water on the blaze to support ground crews' efforts.

The wildfire had burned 7 1/2 square miles (19.4 square kilometers) across the two states as of Friday, although New York officials said that number was likely to increase as stronger winds were forecast for the weekend.

On Saturday, Wernick said New York Army National Guard helicopters dropped 21,000 gallons (79,493 liters) of water and a New York State Police helicopter dropped nearly 900 gallons (3,406 liters).

The fire was burning primarily in Sterling Forest State Park, where the visitor center, the lakefront area at Greenwood Lake and historic furnace area remained open but woodland activities including hunting were halted, Wernick said, noting residences around the lake have not been impacted.

A National Weather Service forecast for Warwick did not call for rain until Wednesday night. Firefighters previously said they will remain on the scene until significant rainfall occurs.

The blaze claimed the life of an 18-year-old New York parks employee who died when a tree fell on him as he helped fight the fire in Sterling Forest on Nov. 9. The fire's cause remains under investigation.

On Sunday, a community in Rockland County is remembering the life of Daniel Vasquez. Vasquez's wake was held at 2 p.m. in Garnerville.

On Monday, the funeral mass will take place at 10:00 a.m. at St. Peter's Church in Haverstraw.

In addition to his contributions on the field, Vasquez was named Rockland County’s Senior Male Athlete of the Year last spring, a testament to his dedication both in sports and to his community.

Here’s the latest on weather conditions and wildfires burning in New York and New Jersey:

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Brush Fire Task Force launched

On Sunday, FDNY Commissioner Robert Tucker announced the creation of the department's first Brush Fire Task Force.

"Due to a significant lack of rainfall, the threat of fast-spreading brush fires fueled by dry vegetation and windy conditions have resulted in an historic increase of brush fires throughout New York City," FDNY Commissioner Robert S. Tucker said.

The Brush Fire Task Force will be comprised of fire marshals, fire inspectors, and tactical drone units.

To learn more about what the Brush Task Fire Force does, click here.

NY burn ban

Earlier this week, New York Gov. Kathy Hochul declared a statewide burn ban through the end of November.

"New Yorkers: It is critical to avoid any outdoor burning at this time," Hochul said in a post on X. "Remember to report any fires immediately to authorities, stay alert, and monitor your local forecast and law enforcement alerts.

As of Tuesday afternoon, the governor said officials were "currently managing 11 confirmed wildfires statewide."

Weather and fire forecast

A look at the fire weather alerts issued in the Northeast through Tuesday. (FOX Weather)

According to the National Weather Service, an elevated Fire Weather Risk picked back up on Friday for this part of the Interstate 95 corridor and will last through Sunday.

Some relief could be in sight in New York. The National Weather Service in Albany said Sunday that most of the region could see a "widespread soaking rain" of 0.5 to 1.5 inches beginning Wednesday night.