Jennings Creek wildfire triggers evacuation of 130 homes
The Jennings Creek wildfire in Orange County escaped containment on Saturday night, causing an evacuation of 130 homes of Wah-Ta-Wah Park. The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) said overnight efforts kept structures safe on Sunday morning.
ALBANY, N.Y. (NEWS10)-- The Jennings Creek wildfire in Orange County escaped containment on Saturday night, causing an evacuation of 130 homes of Wah-Ta-Wah Park. The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) said overnight efforts kept structures safe on Sunday morning.
Wind contributed to the spread of the wildfire, leading to the evacuation out of an abundance of caution. Jeff Wernick with the DEC said a small section of fire that breached a containment line didn't reach the contingency line. Early Saturday, the DEC said roughly 88% of the wildfire was contained.
The evacuation allowed firefighters and fire officials to fight the blaze without interruption. Wernick said the evacuation would remain in place until at least Monday.
Wernick said burnout operations will make smoke more visible for people near the wildfire. The wildfire has burned 5,207 acres, primarily in the Sterling Forest State Park.
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