On Wednesday, hundreds of firefighters battled challenging conditions while trying to contain the Jennings Creek Wildfire that has spread to 5,000 acres along the New York/New Jersey border.

The New Jersey Forest Fire Service reported that the fire is 30% contained. However, efforts to suppress it were complicated by dry weather and abundant dry vegetation, which has become highly flammable after two months of little rain. Unfortunately, more rain is not expected soon.

The National Weather Service (NWS) cautioned that humidity levels between 20% and 30% combined with wind gusts of approximately 15 mph could fuel the fire’s growth.

“With the mix of light winds and extremely low humidity, these conditions can lead to the rapid spread of any new fires, making them hard to control,” the NWS stated.

Helicopters are working to douse the flames from above, but Commander Christopher Franek from the New Jersey Forest Fire Service noted that his crews are struggling to reach the fire due to a lack of accessible trails or well-maintained roads in “very steep, rugged terrain.”

“It’s incredibly challenging to enter the area,” Franek remarked, as he confirmed that 10 nearby structures are at risk.

Tragically, the Jennings Creek Wildfire has resulted in one death: 18-year-old Dariel Vasquez, a New York state parks employee, was killed when a tree fell on him while he was helping fight the fire, officials reported.

Two Brush Fires in Manhattan Park

A two-alarm fire was reported in a large brush area at Inwood Hill Park, located at the northern end of Manhattan, according to the Fire Department of New York City on Wednesday evening.

The fire department shared on social media that they deployed various resources, including drones, marine units, and brush fire teams, while advising local residents to keep windows closed and stay clear of the area.

According to media reports citing FDNY sources, two separate brush fires occurred in the 196-acre park on Wednesday; however, the first fire was extinguished around 4 p.m.

Mark D. Levine, Manhattan’s Borough president, posted a video showing the ongoing fire and noted that as of 5:30 p.m., flames were still active in a “significant part of Inwood Hill Park.”

The FDNY reported that they have dealt with 229 brush fires since October 29, marking an unprecedented level for the city over a two-week period.

Region in Urgent Need of Rain

Southeast New York and New Jersey are experiencing one of the driest falls on record, with only a quarter inch of rain having fallen from Sunday night to Monday, providing minimal relief for the ongoing drought.

During a recent announcement about a temporary statewide outdoor burning ban, New York Governor Kathy Hochul mentioned that “the conditions we’re facing are still quite severe.” She added that roughly 15 wildfires are currently burning across the state, which is an unusually high amount for this time of year.

In addition, New Jersey has been grappling with 10 wildfires in the past week, including one across the Hudson River from uptown New York City, where the air was hazy and filled with the smell of smoke over the weekend.

Before the recent rainfall, New Jersey experienced its driest September and October on record since 1895, averaging less than an inch of statewide rainfall, as reported by the Bergen Record.

Amtrak Service from NY Penn Station to New Haven Remains Suspended

Amtrak announced Wednesday afternoon that their plan to resume service between New York Penn Station and New Haven, Connecticut—a key route connecting New York City to Boston—has been delayed indefinitely. There is currently no timeline for when service will be reinstated.

Two fires near Amtrak’s tracks in the Bronx caused a power outage on Tuesday afternoon, leading to the suspension of train service in both directions for the rest of the day.

“Amtrak personnel are assessing and repairing damages to the tracks,” the agency said in a statement on Wednesday. “The anticipated return to normal operations was estimated for around 2 p.m. today. Unfortunately, the tracks remain closed at this time.”

Mountain Fire in Southern California Now Under Control

The Mountain Fire located northwest of Los Angeles, which had at one point posed a threat to 3,500 homes and businesses, is now largely under control.

The situation is under control.

According to an update released on Wednesday by Cal Fire, California’s firefighting department, the wildfire is now 60% contained. It has scorched 20,630 acres, a figure that has remained relatively unchanged since Thursday evening.

The fire started early last Wednesday in Ventura County and has caused damage to approximately 300 structures, primarily homes. Thankfully, there have been no reports of any fatalities.