Raging wildfires consumed over 5,000 acres across New Jersey and New York in just one week, marking one of the most devastating wildfires in New Jersey history. The Jennings Creek wildfire started burning on the weekend of November 8, stretching from Passaic County, N.J. into Orange County, N.Y.
New Jersey has experienced countless wildfires this season due to a historically dry October. Drought has made New Jersey forests a utopia for fire start-ups, especially when all a fire needs is fuel and oxygen to engulf acres of land.
“When everything is this dry, it’s like we’re setting ourselves up for fires,” junior Cameron Gorjian said. “It feels like the weather’s been getting more extreme every year.”
With marginal winds and relatively low humidity levels, it’s quite easy to spread any ignited fires expeditiously. In New Jersey alone, more than 500 wildfires have been recorded, with one of the largest being the Jennings Creek wildfire.
New Jersey geologists state that 40% of water systems are experiencing a significantly greater demand for water than usual, with that number only expected to increase in the coming weeks. Unless a downpour of 10 inches of rain comes into play, firefighters will have to continue battling the fire day by day.
Hundreds of firefighters on the fire have worked numerous days, some even 12-hour shifts.
Out-of-town firefighters also volunteered to help, staying in nearby hotels in hopes of making a difference. By the end of the week, thanks to the volunteers and neighboring fire departments that arrived on the scene, 90% of the fire was contained.
Rugged hill terrain and limited road access points to the fire made it difficult for firefighters to fight the blaze from the ground. Instead, water-dropping helicopters were used by both New York and New Jersey, taking advantage of the changing wind directions to control lines of fires.
“I didn’t realize how much strategy goes into fighting a fire,” freshman Asher Davidson said. “Using helicopters and the wind to extinguish the fire shows how tough it can be to control something like this.”
Authorities cut power to much of the surrounding Greenwood Lake while burnout operations continued. Consequently, the Greenwood Lake Union School District closed for two days due to this loss of power and the temporary relocation of residents.
Residents surrounding the Jennings Creek fire were a little too close for comfort, with firefighters constantly patrolling nearby areas to ensure no damage would occur. Some residents even contemplated evacuation, with ‘go bags’ in case anything went wrong.
Initially, the smoke was so bad that firefighters even encouraged evacuation. Many people, especially the elderly, couldn’t breathe because of all the smoke, and several temporarily left their homes.
Residents did, however, receive assistance from the New Jersey Highlands Coalition, which provided $1,700 for masks and water for rescue workers. Although the fire itself was not a huge risk, it served as the primary cause of smoke, which only continues to linger and plague residents.
The fire also had economic costs, especially as firefighters worked around the clock to help contain the fire. Luckily, the Federal Emergency Medical Agency (FEMA) authorized a Fire Management Assistance Grant Declaration, offering federal funding to cover some of the costs associated with the fire.
“This wildfire and many others have shown us how quickly nature can turn against us if we’re not careful,” sophomore Adrian Cheah said. “It’s terrifying to think about how these fires could become even more frequent if we don’t address climate change.”
The Jennings Creek wildfire additionally devastated wildlife habitats, forcing animals to flee or perish. The ash and debris from the fire have further contaminated nearby streams and rivers, posing risks to aquatic ecosystems.
The New Jersey Highlands Coalition set up a donation drive for those who want to support the 32 fire companies restlessly fighting off the fire. If donations are made, they will support the purchase of emergency supplies, including bottled water and masks, and will undoubtedly aid efforts to control the fire. Donations can be made HERE.
Local restaurants and volunteers also provided food for firefighters on the job, offering three meals a day plus water at any time.
Experts warn that the Jennings Creek fire indicates the increasing frequency and severity of wildfires due to climate change. As drought conditions persist and temperatures rise, states like New Jersey and New York may face similar challenges in the coming years, necessitating better forest management and emergency preparedness.
Despite the harsh risks and consequences caused by the fire, this tragedy motivated communities to unite, supporting the hard-working firefighters and emphasizing the solidarity seen in the face of adversity.
