New Jersey and New York crews join forces to fight spreading wildfire

Fire crews are continuing to battle a large wildfire spreading across New Jersey and New York amid an increase in wildfires in the north-eastern US.

Much of the region is facing a drought, and dry conditions across almost the whole country have made wildfires a more frequent occurrence, with windy periods further exacerbating potential or existing fires.

The blaze, known as the Jennings Creek wildfire, has burned more than 3,000 acres (1,214 hectares) as of Monday, according to the New Jersey forest fire service.

New Jersey and New York forest fire services have joined forces to tackle the wildfire. Firefighting crews are reported to be understaffed, however, with most teams being largely composed of volunteers.

Bill Donnelly, New Jersey’s forest fire service chief, said extensive rainfall was needed to end the ongoing threat of fires.

“New Jersey hasn’t seen anything this dry since we began keeping records,” he told NorthJersey.com. “Not only is the fire burning on top of the ground, it’s burning under the ground. So, it’s very labor-intense to put these fires out.”

The fire has caused the death of at least one person. Dariel Vasquez, a New York state parks employee, died on Saturday while assisting firefighters. New York state police say 18-year-old Vasquez was hit by a falling tree during the blaze.

The East Ramapo central school district told ABC News that Vasquez was a graduate of the class of 2024. A GoFundMe campaign was created in honor of the fallen volunteer and so far has raised more than $45,000.

Several homes and buildings in New York and New Jersey were under threat of fire damage. Though theblaze caused many Veterans Day events to be postponed, there are currently no evacuations in place.

Theforest fire service has pledged to remain on the scene. Fire engines and firefighting helicopters have been deployed to further efforts to contain the blaze.

The Jennings Creek wildfire is one of many fires that have ignited across the north-eastern US during an unusually warm and dry fall season. The smoke from these fires is decreasing air quality from New York City to at least as far as Philadelphia. Over the weekend the smell of wildfire smoke was widespread, especially in New York City, exacerbated by yet another blaze in Brooklyn’s Prospect Park.

People in affected areas are urged to limit strenuous outdoor activity, especially the very young, the very old and people with conditions such as asthma and heart disease.