'Really sad': Jennings Creek wildfire burns over 3,000 acres in NJ, NY
HEWITT, N.J. (PIX11) – The Jennings Creek wildfire is still burning as of Monday morning, according to officials.
The wildfire has burned over 3,000 acres, spanning from New Jersey to New York, the New Jersey Forest Fire Service said in a post on X. It's only 10% contained, fire officials said.
At least 25 structures, two homes and eight historical buildings, are at risk in New Jersey and 14 buildings are at risk in Greenwood Lake.
A New York State Parks employee was killed in the wildfire near Greenwood Lake, officials said. Dariel Vasquez, 18, died when a tree fell on top of him.
He was a senior and baseball team captain at Ramapo High School.
Dry conditions led New York and New Jersey to issue drought watches. At least 60 fires have broken out in New York and another 537 fires have sparked in New Jersey since Oct. 1, officials said.
"I have been in different areas, where you can see the smoke in the sky, and the sky’s been thicker. It’s been really sad. I don’t even know what to do for the firemen," said Marlene Sabio, of West Milford.
Rain Sunday nignt into Monday morning was expected to help firefighters battle the raging wildfire.
Erin Pflaumer is a digital content producer from Long Island who has covered both local and national news since 2018. She joined PIX11 in 2023. See more of her work here.