Warwick, NY, saw a surge in voluntary evacuations this weekend as the Jennings Creek fire grew stronger due to high winds. Fire officials and emergency responders urged residents from over 100 homes to evacuate for safety. According to PIX11, 35 homes near Edgemere Avenue evacuated first, followed by 130 more homes yesterday, even though no structures were immediately threatened.
The Jennings Creek wildfire, which has burned over 5,000 acres across New York and New Jersey, was 88% contained by yesterday. In response, Governor Kathy Hochul issued a statewide burn ban to reduce the risk of more fires. New York Parks Department spokesman Jeff Wernick told NBC New York that helicopters from the New York Army National Guard dropped 21,000 gallons of water, while a State Police helicopter dropped nearly 900 gallons.
Evacuated residents were directed to seek shelter at Greenwood Lake Middle School, though most returned home by today. As the wildfire continues, communities near the New York-New Jersey border remain alert. The fire, mostly in Sterling Forest State Park, forced a pause in outdoor activities like hunting to ensure public safety.
Last week, 18-year-old Dariel Vasquez, a Ramapo High School senior and baseball team captain, tragically lost his life while fighting the wildfire, as per PIX11.
