A large forest fire is spreading on the border of the American states of New York and New Jersey. The rain did not help and the situation was made worse by strong winds. The services reported on Tuesday that over two thousand hectares had already been burned.
– This is the largest fire in our state since 2008. We haven't seen a wildfire of this scale since then, New York Gov. Kathy Hochul said Tuesday. She added that no buildings were currently at risk and some residents had voluntarily evacuated.
The fire that broke out on Friday has consumed an area of over two thousand hectares, more than half of which is located in Orange County, New York, state services reported on Tuesday. Just a day earlier, more than a thousand hectares were reported. The fire, called The Jennings Creek, is only 20 percent contained.
Drought and wind
Rainfall on the night from Monday to Tuesday only slightly slowed the spread of the fire. This part of the United States is experiencing the worst drought in decades. Last month was the driest October in Newark, New Jersey's most populous city, since 1949. In some cities, such as Trenton, it has not rained in more than 40 days.
The situation continues to be hampered by strong winds, gusting to approximately 70 kilometers per hour.
Fire in New Jerseyx.com/njdepforestfire
The fire caused the death of one person. This is 18-year-old firefighter Dariel Vasquez, who died when a tree fell on him while fighting a fire.
Wildfires in New Jerseyx.com/njdepforestfire
A total of 15 vegetation fires were reported in New York State on Tuesday. Outside of Orange County, the most difficult situation is in nearby Ulster County, where more than 280 hectares have burned. As Hochul said at a press conference, the fire was under control. – We are watching it closely as the wind continues to increase – she noted.
Main photo source: x.com/njdepforestfire