As of Friday, Nov. 22, 2024, the Jennings Creek fires at Sterling State Park in Orange County have been “fully contained” after burning for two weeks, according to New York Governor Kathy Hochul. Notorious for causing the widespread “BBQ smell” among New York areas, the fires along the New York and New Jersey border have burned down more than 5,300 acres of land.
Although the fires did not have any direct effect on the Forest Hills area –besides temporarily negatively affecting the air quality– Ms. Franke, an AP English teacher at FHHS, experienced the Jennings Creek blaze on the border of New Jersey and New York firsthand.
While residing at her home in the Greenwood Lake area over the Nov. 15-17 weekend, it was that Saturday on Nov. 16 she recalls, “It was just really scary and really out of control because I just kept looking out the window and the fires were getting closer and closer. First responders just kept coming with the helicopters spraying and moistening the air with water and burning areas on purpose to control the burning.”
Around Greenwood Lake, there were heavily suggested evacuations for people that lived closer to the fires across the lake, however even though Ms. Franke was not a part of that evacuation zone, she does live “5 minutes away from that area.” She notes that the smoke was so “horrible,” she “could barely breathe outside. It just smelled like everything was burning.”
There was one reported casualty caused by the fires, an 18-year old New York forest ranger, Dariel Vasquez died while battling the fires. In these times of distress, Ms. Franke said that there was an evident “sense of community within the town, everybody works together to help each other.”
These wildfires, although concentrated in specific areas, have led to statewide impacts. On Nov. 12, Governor Hochul announced the New York State Burn Ban, first enacted in light of the dry conditions prone to causing wildfires, and it remains in effect until Nov. 30. The ban prohibits outdoor fires for brush and debris disposal, uncontained campfires, and open fires for cooking. However, backyard fire pits, contained campfires, and contained cooking fires are allowed. Additionally, New York Senator Kirsten Gillibrand calls for climate action from the federal government as she posted on her X account on Nov. 24, “I’m in NYC today to push for federal resources to repair fire damage, boost climate resiliency, and better prepare the region for extreme weather.”
As the weather changes and the investigation for the cause of the Jennings Park fire continues, many point blame to the dry and windy conditions that have only recently been interrupted this past weekend by rain.
After experiencing wildfires for herself, Ms. Franke leaves this bit of advice: “If you’re experiencing dry weather, it’s important that you water the outside of your house and make sure that it’s moist.”
