Amid dry conditions in New Jersey and New York, a forest ranger tragically lost his life while fighting one of several wildfires in the region. The forest ranger, whose identity has not been disclosed, was fatally injured when a tree fell on him during efforts to contain a significant brush fire along the New York-New Jersey border.
The New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection's Forest Fire Service reported that the Jennings Creek wildfire had spread to over 3 square miles near the border in Passaic County’s West Milford and Orange County, New York. This wildfire posed a threat to two homes and eight buildings in the Long Pond Ironworks Historic District.
Health advisories were issued in parts of New York and northeastern New Jersey due to poor air quality caused by smoke from the fires. Individuals, particularly the very young, elderly, and those with respiratory or heart conditions such as asthma, were advised to limit strenuous outdoor activities.
In Pompton Lakes, New Jersey, officials reported significant progress in containing a 175-acre fire that was endangering 55 homes. No evacuations had been ordered in the area. Additionally, fires in the Bethany Run area on the border of Burlington and Camden counties, along the Palisades Interstate Parkway in Englewood Cliffs, and in the Glassboro wildlife protection area of Gloucester County were also being addressed.
Authorities in Ocean County announced arson and firearms charges in connection with a 350-acre fire in Jackson Township that began on Wednesday. The fire was reportedly ignited by magnesium shards from a shotgun round at a shooting range, with officials emphasizing that the use of incendiary or tracer ammunition is prohibited in the state. As of Friday, the majority of the blaze had been contained.
