Jennings Creek fire 'will get a little larger' before containment: Officials
NEW YORK (PIX11) -- A wildfire burning in New York and New Jersey will get "a little larger" in the coming days, New York fire officials said Monday.
In just a few days the fire has burned 5,000 acres, about 7.8 square miles, across New York and New Jersey, according to Bryan Gallagher, a forest ranger with the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation.
The fire was 20% contained as of Monday afternoon. Before it's completely controlled, the fire is expected to grow due to strong winds expected in the region Tuesday and containment efforts, Gallagher said.
The fire "blew up" and spread to New Jersey Saturday after initially igniting in New York. It burned about 2,500 acres in each state, Gallagher said.
About 12 homes were voluntarily evacuated Sunday evening in Sterling Forest and the American Red Cross has set up a temporary relocation center at the Greenwood Lake Community Center, Orange County Emergency Services commissioner Peter Cirigliano said.
Rain and changed wind patterns have provided firefighters "a breather," officials said Monday.
"The weather's with us," Gallagher said. "[But] tomorrow's going to be very windy."
Gallagher emphasized the "crucial" importance of safe fire practices in the coming days. A "rare" and severe drought has made this fire particularly difficult, he said.
"We don’t need any more work right now,” Gallagher said. "We’re getting tired."
The wildfire killed Dariel Vasquez, an 18-year-old New York State Parks worker, on Saturday.
“It was a very emotional situation," said Orange County Executive Steve Neuhaus. "The outpouring of support from the residents and businesses [has] been phenomenal."