Firefighters making progress against Jennings Creek wildfire
RINGWOOD, N.J. - Firefighters have made progress battling the Jennings Creek wildfire, New York State Park Police said Thursday.
The fire is raging in the Sterling Forest State Park, and has impacted Passaic and Orange Counties. Authorities say it has been boxed in by fire lines. As of 9 a.m. Thursday, it was 41% contained, according to the New York State Park Police.
Fighting fire with fire
Authorities say they're fighting fire with fire.
Area residents are being warned they'll see more smoke and flames covering more acreage Thursday as fire rangers continue burnout operations - burning out leaves and branches that are fueling the fire. Officials are urging local residents not to worry as the burnout increases the smoke and flames.
Conditions in the area are challenging - hilly, and mostly wilderness.
Protectively, authorities cut power to a large section of Greenwood Lake while those burnout operations continue. Most residents have temporarily relocated. The Greenwood Lake Union School District remains closed Thursday and Friday.
Wednesday, authorities used helicopters to drop 166 buckets of water on the fire. Four helicopters are still battling the blaze today - two Chinooks dropping about 2,000 gallons of water per drop, and two Blackhawks dropping about 600 gallons per drop.
Wednesday night, the glow of the fire's edge was visible. Thankfully, it is no longer threatening any structures in New York or New Jersey.
Another bit of good news for firefighters - there was no Red Flag Warning in effect for Thursday.
