AREA — Firefighters from across the state are joining forces to help suppress a 3,500-acre blaze that has already led to massive damage near West Milford and the New York State border.
“The Union County Fire Mutual Aid system coordinated a strike team of five Union County engine companies to respond to West Milford yesterday, to assist with the wildland fires,” Westfield Fire Chief Michael Duelks told Union County HAWK on Tuesday. “Westfield was not part of the strike team this round, but may be included in the next request if additional resources are requested.”
The Jennings Creek Wildfire, which started Saturday morning under unknown circumstances, was only about 20 percent contained as of the date of publication.
Fire Departments from Summit, Plainfield, Kenilworth, Springfield and Berkeley Heights were called in to assist on Monday.
According to information provided by the Summit Fire Department, the Union County team was tasked with protecting nearby homes and properties from the rapidlyspreading blaze. “This is a great example of how the New Jersey fire service comes together during emergencies to assist one another, protecting nature and the public,” Summit Fire Chief Eric Evers said on Tuesday. “Assisting in a wildfire of this magnitude is not a common occurrence for our department. I am extremely proud of our firefighters and the good work they did in West Milford yesterday, and every day here in Summit and in nearby communities.”
Michael Scanio, Union County’s Mutual Aid coordinator, was among those who volunteered to step up.
“Wildfires are a totally different animal for us,” Mr. Scanio said. “Here in Union County, we’re used to structural fires, things that can hopefully be contained to one or two buildings. In open, forested situations like this, you can wind up chasing a fire for miles. Our job was to help protect local properties — we were not in the thick of it, but we were happy to be there to provide what assistance we could and to give the local departments a break.”
The fire has already claimed the life of an 18-year-old parks employee, Dariel Vasquez of New York, who was hit by a falling tree while attempting to help firefighters clear the area of debris.
According to information provided by the New Jersey Forest Fire Service, two residential structures and eight historic buildings are currently threatened by the blaze. Additional fire crews and a fire service helicopter have been dispatched to the scene.
“Today, Forest Fire Service crews will be met with significant challenges due to the forecasted weather,” the Forest Fire Service said via social media Tuesday morning. A Red Flag warning — a designation used by fire services to describe a combination of strong winds, low relative humidity, and dry fuels that collectively create a significantly-elevated fire growth potential — was issued Tuesday for most of Bergen, Essex, Hudson, Passaic and Union counties.
Chief Duelks reminded residents that the entire state is still witnessing “extreme conditions” and will remain under a mandated burn ban which prohibits all outdoor fires except for those fueled by propane, natural gas or electricity until further notice. All such fires must be confined to an elevated stove or grill.
“This includes bonfires and residential fire pits. No wood or charcoal fires are allowed, and the use of kerosene or gas torches of any kind is prohibited while this level of restriction is in place. No firework celebrations are allowed,” Chief Duelks said, adding that “high temperatures, low humidity, high winds, and moderate to severe drought conditions” have led to greater continued risks throughout the region. The fire ban is in place on all public lands and private properties in all municipalities throughout the state.
Other fires, some of which have already been suppressed, have been reported in Montclair, Livingston, Passaic and Rockaway, among other areas, over the course of the past two weeks.
“As conditions are heightened for wildfires in New Jersey, the Red Cross is urging families to take action now to be ready. Families may need to evacuate quickly with little notice and should create a family plan that includes how they’ll stay connected with each other, where they’ll go, how they’ll get there, and where they’ll stay. People should sign up for free emergency alerts from local government, which will include important information such as evacuation orders in an emergency,” representatives from the American Red Cross said via press release earlier this week.
“We urge all residents to comply with all regulations to protect our community and natural resources,” Chief Duelks said.
