The Jennings Creek / Sterling Forest fire is now reportedly about 90% contained, but Orange County remains under a state of emergency, and the Greenwood Lake School District remains closed today. The town of Warwick said East Shore Road from Sterling Road at the intersection of Wah-Ta-Wah Drive to the north entrance of Woods Road would be closed due to the fires, and the town was asking residents in the voluntary evacuation area to continue sheltering so that crews can effectively suppress the fire. They said there is no threat to structures. On Friday’s “Who Wants to be a Volunteer” program, Kurt Mulligan of the Stony Point Fire Department said some of the sections being threatened by the fires pose major challenges for firefighters…
Though the major brushfires haven’t hit Rockland, Director of Fire and Emergency Services, Chris Kear, said area volunteers have been hard at work…
Rockland volunteers still have other fires to deal with, including a small brushfire that hit Rockland Lake State Park on Sunday near the trail along Hook Mountain which is now 90% contained, the origin of the fire is under investigation. Rain later this week could provide some much-needed relief, with more than 6,000 acres of forest having been consumed so far. Meanwhile, funeral services are set for today, and flags around the state will be flown at half-staff, in honor of 18-year-old Parks and Recreation aide and Ramapo High School graduate, Dariel Vasquez of Pomona. Vasquez was killed last weekend, while helping create a fire line at the Jennings Creek wildfire in Sterling Forest. Governor Kathy Hochul commended him for his bravery in protecting New Yorkers. He worked as an aide at the State Parks, Recreation, and Historic Preservation Department. He is survived by his mother, Miosotis, and his father, Juan.