In the last week several brush fires and wildfires have broken out throughout the NY Metropolitan area and lower Hudson Valley. In the Palisades region alone, more than 5,000 acres have already burned – an area roughly ⅓ the size of Manhattan.
These fires come on the heels of the driest October on record.
This historic drought continues with minimal rain and high winds forecast for the coming days. While fires are not uncommon during the dry season, the quantity and severity of the fires we’re seeing feels unprecedented.
These worst-case conditions have contributed to an extreme fire, named the Jennings Creek Wildfire, currently burning in Sterling Forest State Park. The intensity of the Jennings Creek Wildfire continues to require a massive response from multiple states, agencies, fire departments, and the National Guard.
The Palisades Parks Conservancy is collecting tax-deductible donations to support fire fighters responding to the Jennings Creek Wildfire and recovery efforts throughout the region. They are coordinating with responders and park staff to ensure funds go where they’re needed most – whether directly to fire crews or to park recovery after the fires burn out. You can make a donation here.
Remembering Dariel Vasquez
Amid fire fighting efforts over the weekend, 18-year-old New York State Parks employee Dariel Vasquez was tragically killed when he was struck by a falling tree. You can support Dariel’s family as they endure this devastating loss by donating here.
Fires In Multiple Parks
Palisades Interstate Park (Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey): a 40-acre brush fire burned along the cliffs of the NJ Palisades Cliffs, sending dramatic smoke billowing over New York City. That fire began Thursday 11/7 and was fully extinguished by rain Sunday 11/10. The Palisades Interstate Park will reopen this week.
Bear Mountain State Park (New York): A small brush fire burned inside Bear Mountain State Park. It was contained by DEC crews and extinguished by rain on Sunday 11/10. Bear Mountain State Park is open.
Sterling Forest State Park (Orange County NY/ Passaic County NJ): 5,000 acres have burned straddling the NJ/NJ state line, the fire is currently only 10% contained. Sterling Forest State Park is closed.
The Jennings Creek Wildfire (Sterling Forest State Park)
As of 2 pm on November 12th, the Jennings Creek Wildfire has burned an estimated 5,000 acres along the New Jersey-New York border in Passaic and Orange counties. On the NY side, the fire is burning in Sterling Forest State Park, a large swath of natural forest southwest of Harriman State Park.
The massive fire fighting efforts are being led by the NY’s DEC, NJ’s DEP and Forest Fire Service, with local town and volunteer fire crews, park rangers and staff, and assistance from the National Guard.
Use Fire Caution and Conserve Water
New York State has issued a statewide burn ban until November 30th. You can show your solidarity to fire crews by following guidance from local authorities:
Adhere to stringent burn and fire bans (no grilling, ground fires, safe cigarette disposal), especially in areas with Red Flag warnings;
Conserve water in your homes, lawns, and businesses; and
Monitor local air quality and smoke conditions, and take necessary precautions to protect your health.
For more information about fire safety and prevention, go to DEC’s FIREWISE New York webpage.
Photos: Jennings Creek Wildfire (NJ DEP); and Dariel Vasquez (provided by Palisades Parks Conservancy).
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