As the battle to battle the Jennings Creek wildfire on the New York-New Jersey border enters its second week, voluntary evacuations for residents along Edgemere Avenue and Wah-Ta-Wah Park remained in effect Monday to allow firefighting efforts to continue uninterrupted.
What you need to know for Monday:
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Flags at state facilities will fly at half-staff Monday to honor the memory of Pomona man Dariel Vasquez, who died fighting the wildfire on Nov. 9. Funeral services for Vasquez are scheduled for 10 a.m. A vigil was held on Sunday.
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The state of emergency for Orange County has been extended.
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Greenwood Lake Union Free School District will be closed Monday.
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Planned burnout operations will contribute to more noticeable smoke in the early morning.
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A ban on burning fires is still in effect in New York until November 30.
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Read on for the latest updates in the fight against the Jennings Creek fire.
The Jennings Creek Fire remains 88% contained following Sunday’s efforts
According to an update posted Sunday by the New York State Park Police, burnout operations have contributed to an increase in the acreage consumed by the Jennings Creek fire. Although the size has increased to 5,304 hectares, the wildfire remains 88% contained to New York and is mainly located in Sterling Forest State Park.
The smoke is expected to be more visible Monday due to weather conditions and fire department activity, the post said.
NYS Department of Environmental Conservation Forest Rangers led crews from multiple state agencies and volunteer departments, as well as a wildfire response team from Montana.
Helicopters were deployed on Sunday to drop tens of thousands of liters of water on the hot ground in an attempt to extinguish the fire. New York National Guard Chinook helicopters conducted 13 bucket drops, releasing a total of 27,300 gallons of water. A New York Air National Guard Blackhawk performed 46 drops, releasing 28,060 gallons, and a New York State Police Huey performed 16 drops, releasing 4,800 gallons.
Health risk: How bad is wildfire air quality in NJ-NY? What we know, how to stay safe
Temporary spikes in the air quality index expected in the New York metro area
Meteorologists advised that wildfire smoke has contributed to fine particulate matter (PM2.5) pollution in the air, causing a temporary impact on air quality. Spikes in the air quality index could be measured at levels ranging from “high-moderate to unhealthy for sensitive groups” in the New York City metropolitan area, which includes the Hudson Valley and parts of northern New Jersey.
The wind is expected to pick up on Monday morning. Those living near the Jennings Creek wildfire may also see localized smoke impacts, New York State Park Police said.
As of Monday morning, PM2.5 in Woodcliff Lake, NJ, less than five miles from the Rockland County border, clocked in at 58, which means “moderate.” According to an AirNow online air quality map posted by the United States Environmental Protection Agency and the US Forest Service, such a reading indicates moderate air quality concerns thanks to the Jennings Creek wildfire and another fire incident near Oakland and Franklin Lakes.
“Unusually sensitive people should consider reducing outdoor activities,” the warning reads.
Rockland County officials posted Sunday that smoke from the Jennings Creek wildfire could be seen in the skies over Ramapo and Suffern. The AirNow air quality map shows Rockland County has a PM2.5 of 33, or “good.”
(This story may be updated.)
This article originally appeared on Rockland/Westchester Journal News: Wildfire smoke causes temporary air quality impacts in New York area
