Delaware
Two firefighters injured as crews battle wildfire near Delaware Water Gap
2-minute read
NJ Forest Fire Service observer Nick Valerio keeps watch in Culvers Fire Tower
NJ Forest Fire Service observer Nick Valerio works eight-hour shifts in the 8ft by 8ft Culvers Fire Tower 45 ft. in the air during the fall and spring.
Amy Newman, New Jersey Herald
HARDWICK − Two state firefighters were treated for heat exhaustion Tuesday as firefighters battle what is being called the Old Mine Wildfire in Worthington State Forest.
The fire, being combated by the New Jersey Forest Fire Service and the National Park Service, is about five acres and on the western side of the Kittatinny Ridge, just north of the Delaware Water Gap.
Smoke from that fire, and an earlier prescribed burn, could be seen by eastbound traffic on Interstate 80 and caused drivers to slow down, creating a backup on the highway entering New Jersey over the Delaware Water Gap bridge.
In a mid afternoon Facebook post, the New Jersey Forest Fire Service said the fire originated on National Park Service property “and is believed to be human caused.”
The post said that along with ground crews the Forest Fire Service brought in “single engine air tanker” which made several passes over the fire scene. The aircraft is capable of dropping up to 800 gallons of water at a time. Also in the area was an observation helicopter.
Earlier: Don’t worry — they’re burning parts of Kittatinny Valley State Park on purpose
The state service said that earlier in the day, its crews conducted a prescribed burn more than a mile away from the origin of the Old Mine Wildfire on state-owned property managed by Worthington State Forest. That fire was immediately doused and the crews and equipment moved to the nearby Old Mine Wildfire.
The Facebook post said: “The Forest Fire Service confirms the prescribed burn neither caused nor impacted the Old Mine Wildfire in Worthington State Forest because the wind direction at the prescribed burn was opposite from the wind direction at the Old Mine Wildfire.”
Prescribed burns
Prescribed burns have been done for centuries, but now with modern techniques in terms of how the fire is managed and only doing such burns when weather conditions are conducive. The dangers of such a fire getting out of control are greatly reduced.
The prescribed burns now are an effective and efficient means of managing the buildup of forest fuels that may contribute to the start and spread of a wildfire. By actively eliminating sources of fuel that exacerbate forest fire risks through a controlled and prescribed burning program, the Forest Fire Service reduces risk to New Jersey residents, visitors and the environment.
Prescribed burns improve habitat for plants and animals, reduce the presence of damaging insects and ticks, and recycle nutrients into the soil.
According to the Forest Fire Service, prescribed burning is an important part of the state’s carbon defense strategy. Allowing experts to choose the intensity, timing and interval of fire across the landscape may help prevent a larger uncontrolled wildfire, which would contribute to significant carbon loss.
Typically, most prescribed burns take place between February and early April. Tuesday’s weather in the area included light winds, temperatures in the 70s and relative humidity low, in the 30% range.
The Forest Fire Service posts its schedule daily on its Facebook page at: www.facebook.com/NJForestFireService.
DNREC opened the new Delaware Environmental Laboratory near Smyrna today with a ceremonial ribbon cutting for a state-of-the-art facility that features scientific analysis of emerging contaminants such as PFAS, water quality testing and early detection in Delaware of human and animal diseases. DNREC Secretary Greg Patterson led the cutting. Celebrants, left to right, were: DNREC Deputy Secretary Dayna Cobb, former DNREC Secretary Shawn Garvin, Sec. Patterson, Delaware Environmental Lab Director Ashley Kunder, former DNREC Secretary Christophe Tulou, former DNREC Secretary David Small, State Senator Stephanie Hansen, US EPA Region 3 Deputy Administrator Catherine Libertz, State Sen. Kyra Hoffner, Kate Rohrer representing US Senator Chris Coons, and John Gentile, representing Senator Lisa Blunt Rochester. /Delaware DNREC photo
The Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control’s Delaware Environmental Laboratory has opened near Smyrna, providing a state-of-the-art facility to test water quality, chemical contaminants including per- and poly fluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) and conduct molecular and microbiology. DNREC Secretary Greg Patterson was joined today for a ceremonial ribbon cutting by representatives of the state’s congressional delegation, state legislators, former DNREC cabinet secretaries and organizations that depend on the environmental lab for scientific analysis.
The new lab replaces a facility that has operated since 1983 in a converted 19th-century cannery that serves as DNREC’s headquarters building in Dover. The spacious new lab building will house up to 24 scientific, technical and support staff. With its strategic location adjacent the state Department of Health and Social Services Public Health lab, the Delaware Environmental Laboratory will perform testing in support of environmental and public health programs focused on detection of human and animal diseases, as well as environmental emergency response, education and training. The new facility is the third environmental lab in the state’s history.
Construction of the Delaware Environmental Laboratory was supported by a combined $29.7 million from the American Rescue Plan Act – funded by President Joe Biden and Congress – and state funds.
“DNREC’s lab has done amazing work in the last 40 years but did so in spaces that looked like a middle school science classroom, so it definitely needed an upgrade,” DNREC Secretary Patterson said. “The new modern, environmental lab will provide optimum conditions for the skilled and dedicated staff DNREC depends on to help protect the health and safety of Delawareans and our environment, with greater capabilities for addressing environmental and public health challenges of today and into the future.”
Beyond the lab’s expanded capabilities for analytical testing and applying scientific expertise, the proximity between the new DNREC laboratory and the Division of Public Health lab will enable the state to benefit from support between technical experts, materials and supplies when critical situations arise, such as preventing disease outbreaks on coastal beaches or helping mitigate accidental industrial releases of toxic substances or the impacts of pollutants – with both labs focused on underserved or at-risk communities throughout the state.
DNREC expects the new facility to encourage continuing innovation from the various specialized sections of the lab in meeting global environmental and public health challenges of the times, with PFAS and other contaminants of emerging concern among the priorities. The new Delaware Environmental Laboratory continues to increase DNREC’s analytical testing capability. The lab has established new testing capabilities for PFAS, emerging contaminants and other specialized testing, such as environmental DNA. Beyond meeting DNREC’s analysis needs, the Delaware Environmental Lab also serves organizations such as the Center for the Inland Bays, the Delaware River Basin Commission, the U.S. Geological Survey, Delaware Geological Survey and the University of Delaware.
“The opening of our new environmental laboratory represents a significant investment by the state,” said Delaware Environmental Laboratory Director Ashley Kunder. “This strengthens our ability to provide high-quality scientific data that state agencies and policymakers rely upon to make informed decisions and protect our natural resources. Most importantly, this laboratory reflects our commitment to the citizens of Delaware. This new facility supports our talented group of scientists and technical professionals, thus strengthens our ability to deliver timely, accurate, and defensible data. We are excited to begin this new chapter and look forward to meeting our mission of protecting public health and the environment.”
About DNREC
The Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control protects and manages the state’s natural resources, protects public health, provides outdoor recreational opportunities and educates Delawareans about the environment. The DNREC Division of Water manages and protects Delaware’s water resources. For more information, visit the website and connect with @DelawareDNREC on YouTube, Facebook, Instagram, X or LinkedIn.
Media Contact: Nikki Lavoie, nikki.lavoie@delaware.gov; Michael Globetti, michael.globetti@delaware.gov
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Claiming lottery in Delaware
18 states have laws that allow national lottery prize jackpot winners to remain anonymous, but is Delaware among them?
The Delaware Lottery offers several draw games for those aiming to win big.
Here’s a look at Wednesday, June 17, 2026 results for each game:
Winning Powerball numbers from June 17 drawing
03-26-49-53-61, Powerball: 12, Power Play: 2
Check Powerball payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Play 3 numbers from June 17 drawing
Day: 2-1-0
Night: 8-6-5
Check Play 3 payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Play 4 numbers from June 17 drawing
Day: 6-3-6-4
Night: 9-8-0-9
Check Play 4 payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Multi-Win Lotto numbers from June 17 drawing
05-07-13-15-19-29
Check Multi-Win Lotto payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Lotto America numbers from June 17 drawing
11-16-18-33-51, Star Ball: 09, ASB: 05
Check Lotto America payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Play 5 numbers from June 17 drawing
Day: 4-0-1-1-1
Night: 9-5-9-2-5
Check Play 5 payouts and previous drawings here.
Feeling lucky? Explore the latest lottery news & results
Are you a winner? Here’s how to claim your lottery prize
- Sign the Ticket: Establish legal ownership by signing the back of your ticket with an ink pen.
- Prizes up to $599: Claim at any Delaware Lottery Retailer, in person at the Delaware Lottery Office, or mail your signed ticket and claim form; print your name/address on the ticket’s back and keep a copy/photo for records. By mail, send original tickets and documentation to: Delaware Lottery, 1575 McKee Road, Suite 102, Dover, DE 19904.
- Prizes up to $2,500: Claim in person at Delaware Lottery Retailer Claim Centers throughout Kent, Sussex and New Castle Counties.
- Prizes of $5,001 or more: Claim in person at the Delaware Lottery Office (business days 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.) with a photo ID and Social Security card.
- For all prize claims, directions to the Delaware Lottery Office are available online or via mapquest.com for a map.
Check previous winning numbers and payouts at Delaware Lottery.
Can I claim a jackpot prize anonymously in Delaware?
Fortunately for First State residents, the Delaware Lottery allows winners remain anonymous. Unlike many other states that require a prize be over a certain jackpot, Delawareans can remain anonymous no matter how much, or how little, they win.
How long do I have to claim my prize in Delaware?
Tickets are valid for up to one year past the drawing date for drawing game prizes or within one year of the announced end of sales for Instant Games, according to delottery.com.
When are the Delaware Lottery drawings held?
- Powerball: 10:59 p.m. Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday.
- Mega Millions: 11:00 p.m. on Tuesday and Friday.
- Play 3, 4: Daily at 1:58 p.m. and 7:57 p.m., except Sunday afternoon.
- Multi-Win Lotto: 7:57 p.m. Monday, Wednesday, and Friday.
- Lucky for Life: Daily at 10:38 p.m.
- Lotto America: 11:00 p.m. Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday
Missed a draw? Peek at the past week’s winning numbers.
This results page was generated automatically using information from TinBu and a template written and reviewed by a Delaware Online digital operations manager. You can send feedback using this form.
DELAWARE – Governor Matt Meyer signed a new bill that removes the hunting restrictions on Sundays and expands the allowed ammunition.
“For most Delawareans, hunting is a weekend activity,” Rep. Spiegelman said. “Speaking on behalf of the Sportsmen’s Caucus, we all felt that removing the antiquated ban would give more working Delawareans greater access to recreational opportunities and more opportunities to enjoy these experiences with their children.”
The new law will allow hunters to pursue all game animals and game birds during hunting seasons. The law was supported by Delaware Sportsmen’s Caucus (DSC), and received wide bipartisan support, with a 19-0 win in the Senate and a 38-1 win in the House.
Sunday hunting in Delaware was originally banned due to historically observed “blue laws”, which restricts certain activities on Sundays such as specific retail items and alcohol sales. Although the other aspects were repealed decades ago, the hunting regulations continued into the 21st century. It wasn’t until 2016 when Delaware allowed deer hunting on five allotted Sundays, then expanded to include game birds in 2024.
The bill also includes looser restrictions surrounding ammunition usage within deer hunting, expanding the allowed rifles ammunition size.
“We heard from a lot of hunters who wanted to use rounds like the .400 Legend,” Rep. Spiegelman said. “This law expands the allowable caliber size to include this and other popular deer hunting rounds.”
The new law is effective immediately.
For more information on hunting regulations, visit Delaware’s Division of Fish and Wildlife website.
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