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    Track the fires near the New Jersey-New York border

    Pabio Posted on

    A wildfire that consumed thousands of acres is about 20% contained. Forecasters warn of an increased risk of spread on Tuesday.

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    A forest fire Fueled by drought near the New Jersey-New York border, an 18-year-old volunteer firefighter died and thousands of acres burned and forecasters warn of increased risk of spread Tuesday .

    According to the New Jersey Forest Fire DepartmentTHE Jennings Creek a wildfire in West Milford, New Jersey has consumed 3,500 acres and accounts for 20% content. The fire is ravaging Passaic County, New Jersey, and Orange County, New York, about 60 miles southeast of Manhattan.

    The fire, discovered Saturday, spread to Orange County the same night, NorthJersey.com, part of the USA TODAY Network, reported.

    Dariel Vasquez, 18, was a volunteer firefighter for the Wildland Fire Crew when he was killed by a falling tree Saturday evening, NorthJersey.com reported. He was fighting the fire on the border of New Jersey and New York.

    “Our thoughts and prayers are with the 18-year-old Parks Service volunteer who lost his life battling the fire today,” said the Town of Warwick, New Yorkindicate in a Facebook job.

    His death remains under investigation by New York State Police.

    USA TODAY contacted the New Jersey Wildland Fire Department and the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation about the fire.

    High risk of spread Tuesday: National Weather Service

    National Weather Service forecasters warn there is a high risk the fire will continue to spread Tuesday due to high winds and low humidity levels.

    Wind gusts of up to 35 mph and humidity levels between 30 and 40 percent “will favor the spread of any fire that ignites,” New York forecasters said in a statement. Special weather report Monday afternoon.

    The National Weather Service strongly advises area residents against starting fires outdoors and warns people to properly dispose of any potential wildfire fuel, including cigarette butts.

    New Jersey and New York wildfire map

    What caused the fire?

    The cause of the fire remains under investigation, according to the New Jersey Forest Fire Department.

    Rainfall offers respite

    The area received about 0.25 inches of rain from Sunday evening through Monday morning, according to the department. This allowed firefighters to contain part of the fire, which was made worse by the drought facing the region.

    The rain comes at a time when the region has experienced the driest fall season in history, James Tomasini, a meteorologist with National Weather Service, NWS, New York NYtold USA TODAY.

    “We are fine GOOD below average in terms of precipitation,” Tomasini said.

    From September 1 to November 10, Newark, New Jersey, 42 miles southeast of Passaic County, received a total of 0.96 inches of rain.

    Newark normally receives an average of 3.79 inches of rain in October alone, according to Tomasini.

    “This is about the lowest amount of precipitation we’ve seen so far this fall,” the meteorologist said.

    In October, the city received only a “trace” of rain, which was not enough to be measurable, making it the driest October on record and the driest month ever. the region has known in history.

    Windy conditions

    While the region is experiencing wind gusts between 10 and 20 mph, the little rain the region experienced overnight Monday and high humidity levels have made conditions less favorable for the fire to spread, Tomasini said.

    Smoke visible from space

    On Saturday, smoke from the fire was visible from space, according to an article on the NWS New York NY Account

    “We are able to see a wildfire along the New Jersey-New York border from space, thanks to @NOAASatellites“, he said. “Some of this smoke/haze may be visible further south in (New York City).”

    Air quality alerts were issued due to smoke from the flames over the weekend, according to Tomasini. However, as of noon ET on Monday, none were in effect.

    Julia is a trends reporter for USA TODAY. You can contact her on LinkedInfollow her X, formerly known as Twitter, Instagram And TikTok: @juliamariegz, or email her at [email protected]

    Contributor: Michael Loria, USA TODAY

    (This story has been updated to add new information.)

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