Fire weather threat winding down in Northeast as wildfire fights continue
Some rain is expected to reach the Northeast later in the week, which will help reduce the wildfire threat. The amount of rainfall anticipated will not change the Northeast's drought conditions, but it will help end the months-long dry streak in some states.
Much-needed rain could halt fire threat in Northeast this week
As wildfires continue to burn in the Northeast, some relief is expected this week. A slow-moving system will move into the Northeast, bringing rain, and snow, to some areas.
GREENWOOD LAKE, N.Y. – After a renewed threat of wildfires this weekend for much of the Interstate 95 corridor in the Northeast, some relief could be on the way.
Firefighters in New Jersey and New York have already spent this past week battling several wildfires and brush fires across both states. Most notably, the Jennings Creek Fire, which is burning along the New York-New Jersey border, has scorched almost 7,500 acres across both states.
The New Jersey Forest Service reported Friday evening that the wildfire is now 90% contained in the Garden State.
Firefighting efforts reached 88% containment on the New York side of the border, according to the latest report from the State Department of Environmental Conservation.
Jennings Creek Wildfire scorches Passaic County, NJ
Flames at the height of the Jennings Creek wildfire on Sunday, November 10, 2024 (Paramus Fire Company 2/ Facebook).
Elevated fire weather risk for Northeast Sunday
Much of the Northeast is under an elevated risk for fire spreading Sunday, after a weekend of renewed fire threats.
Humidity levels on Sunday remained between 20 and 25% with winds gusting between 15 and 20 mph.
(FOX Weather)
Some rain is expected to reach the Northeast later in the week, which will help reduce the wildfire threat.
The amount of rainfall anticipated will not change the Northeast's drought conditions, but it will help end the months-long dry streak in some states.
Burn restrictions remain in effect across New York and New Jersey
Earlier this week, New York Gov. Kathy Hochul declared a statewide burn ban through the end of November.
New Jersey is at a Stage 3 Campfire Restriction, which prohibits all open burning.
Orange County, New York, remains in a State of Emergency due to the Jennings Creek Fire. Local schools and roads remain closed.
Two Chinook and two Blackhawk helicopters were deployed from the New York Army National Guard on Thursday to help fight the flames.
One person has died in the blaze.
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Chinook helicopters battle Jennings Creek Wildfire
Two Chinook and two Blackhawk helicopters were dispatched from the New York Army National Guard to help battle the Jennings Creek Wildfire along the New York-New Jersey border (@Sheryle1122 /TMX).
Fire Weather Watches were issued for New York State on Friday. These are the first Fire Weather Watches ever issued during the fall in New York.
Five Fire Weather Warnings have been issued this month in New York. Only one other time have they been issued during the fall season – November 2013.
New York's typical fire season runs from March to May.