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The call to quickly leave the area occurred in Orange County on Saturday, Nov. 16, in the Edgemere Avenue and Wah Ta Wah Park sections of Greenwood Lake.
Crews of regional police officers, led by the Town of Warwick and Greenwood Lake Police departments, executed the pre-planned evacuation, which was performed successfully, said Jesse Dwyer, Warwick Supervisor.
Dwyer said the voluntary evacuation north of 120 Edgemere has been lifted as of Monday, Nov. 18, and residents in that area may return home.
Residents south of 120 Edgemere are asked to continue avoiding the area so that fire crews can continue executing full structure protection safely and unhindered by vehicular traffic.
Dwyer said Monday's wind will be very similar to Saturday's, so fire officials are closely monitoring things. Dwyer said crews are highly confident in ensuring complete structure protection throughout the day.
East Shore Road between 120 Edgemere and the north entrance of Woods Road remains closed to vehicular traffic, but if all goes according to plan, this closure will be reassessed at 6 p.m., Dwyer said.d
The fire is 88 percent contained at this point, fire officials said.
State Police Trooper Steven Nevel said the troopers are assisting the Town of Warwick Police with a voluntary evacuation with the ongoing Jennings Creek/Sterling Forest bushfire.
The fire has moved across established fire lines, and the Town of Warwick Police Department initiated a voluntary evacuation order for approximately 40 residences from 32 to 120 Edgemere Ave. The village of Greenwood Lake Middle School will be open for residents needing a place to go. (Pets are welcome at the shelter)
Nevel said that the State Police Drone Unit is providing aerial assessments on the scene.
If you have any emergency, please do not hesitate to call the Warwick Police Department at 845-986-5000.
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