The battle against the Jennings Creek wildfire in Orange County, New York continues Sunday following the voluntary evacuation of the town of Warwick.
Residents on Edgemere Avenue and Wah-Ta-Wah Park were urged to evacuate Saturday night, affecting more than 160 homes. Greenwood Lake Middle School is being used as a shelter.
The voluntary evacuation was carried out “in a safe and orderly manner thanks to the cooperation of residents and proper coordination led by the Warwick and Greenwood Lake Police Departments,” Warwick Town Supervisor Jess Dwyer wrote on Facebook Saturday.
According to the post, the evacuation is intended to help emergency services and firefighters to “operate without interruption while preventing any further spread of the wildfire.”
“By the time the fire breached the containment line,” it had spread to about four to five acres by Saturday, the New York State Parks Police posted on Facebook late Saturday night. The fire had not yet reached the emergency line, “and no structures are in danger,” the text read. “Firefighters are playing on the emergency line with hoses. They are also stationed along Edgemere Avenue to put out any hot spots.”
State parks police, Greenwood Lake and Warwick city officials are expected to post an action plan Sunday morning on social media. Read on for updates.
≽ Monitor fire progress, wildfire smoke and more with our online tracker.
Interests 'Thank you for your courage': Greenwood Lake children praise bushfire workers
FEMA OKs Fire Management Assistant Grants for Jennings Creek fire
The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) approved the funding request Friday morning.
FEMA District 2 Administrator David Warrington approved a request from New York State, allowing FEMA funding to cover 75% of eligible firefighting costs under the approved Jennings Creek fire management, mitigation and control grant.
According to a FEMA news release, the funding, made available through Fire Management Assistant Grants (FMAGs), is provided through the Disaster Relief Fund.
FMGs can be used to pay for field camps, equipment and supplies, assembly operations and more. The grants do not provide assistance to individual homes or businesses, and “do not cover other infrastructure damage caused by fire.”
The weather forecast does not provide relief from drought conditions
As firefighting efforts continue to battle the Jennings Creek fire, the forecast points to continued dry conditions in the Lower Hudson Valley. The coming days are expected to be mild and windy, with almost no chance of rain predicted for next week.
At a news conference on Tuesday about the ongoing efforts to fight the Jennings Creek wildfire in New York and New Jersey, Gov. Kathy Hochul said 2024 was one of the driest months in Empire State history.
The Hudson Valley has been under a level 2 drought watch by the NYSDEC and a red flag watch by the National Weather Service. Level 2 indicates severe drought.
Hochul placed the entire region under a temporary burn ban on Tuesday due to continued dry conditions, raising the risk of wildfires. He encouraged New Yorkers to conserve water.
The statewide burn ban prohibits outdoor burning of any kind.
“Don't leave the campfire (unattended),” Hochul said. “Be extremely careful with outdoor grills.”
More: These maintenance tips can help keep your home safe during wildfire season
What the NYSDEC says you can do to save water
The state DEC has provided these tips for saving water at home:
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Water the lawn only when necessary, choosing irrigation methods that avoid wastage and watering early in the morning to reduce evaporation and increase water.
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Choose to reuse water collected from rain barrels, dehumidifiers or air conditioners to water your plants.
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Raise the cutting heights on your lawn mower as taller grass is healthier, meaning it has stronger roots and needs less water.
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Use a broom instead of a hose to clean your driveway and sidewalk.
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Repair any leaking pipes, pipes and faucets in your home.
Contributed by: USA TODAY Network New York Correspondent Emily Barnes.
(This story may be updated.)
This article originally appeared in the Rockland/Westchester Journal News: The fight against the Jennings Creek wildfire in Orange County NY continues
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