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Jennings Creek Wildfire Update: Blaze Mostly Contained Week Later
After almost one whole week, the Jennings Creek Wildfire had been 75% contained on Thursday, Nov. 14, officials said.
The wildfire continues to burn across Passaic County, NJ, and into Orange County, NY, with the New Jersey Forest Fire Service and New York Department of Environmental Conservation leading containment efforts. The fire has burned 2,283 acres in New Jersey.
While no structures are currently threatened or evacuated in New Jersey, residents are advised to avoid the area. Road closures remain in effect on East Shore Road from Awosting Road to Greenwood Lake Turnpike, as well as B…
Police Urge Residents Not To Call 911 Over Smoke From Jennings Creek Wildfire
The Jennings Creek Wildfire has burned more than 2,200 acres across Passaic County, NJ, and Orange County, NY, and shifting winds are blowing smoke into surrounding areas.
The New Jersey Forest Fire Service, in collaboration with New York’s Department of Environmental Conservation, is leading efforts to bring the fire under control.
As of Wednesday, Nov. 13, the fire spans 2,283 acres in New Jersey and is 30% contained. Two residential structures in New Jersey and eight historic structures in the Long Pond Ironworks Historic District are under threat. No evacuations have been ordered at thi…
West Milford Wildfire Swells To 3,500 Acres As Firefighters Battle Fierce Winds
The Jennings Creek Wildfire, now spanning 3,500 acres across Passaic County, NJ, and Orange County, NY, is only 20% contained, with strong winds and low humidity posing continued risks for rapid spread.
The New Jersey Forest Fire Service and New York’s Division of Forest Protection and Fire Management are working in unified command to strengthen containment lines in preparation for tomorrow’s forecasted weather.
Firefighters focused efforts Tuesday, Nov. 12 on reinforcing the eastern containment line, using controlled burns to remove unburned pockets of fuel.
Resources deployed…
Dangerous Air Quality Levels Reported, New 1,800-Acre Wildfire Burns In West Milford
Three active wildfires in New Jersey are keeping firefighters busy this weekend as the air quality continues to worsen.
The New Jersey Forest Fire Service is working to contain fires in West Milford, Pompton Lakes, and Englewood Cliffs (scroll for details on each one).
AirNow.gov shows an Air Quality Index (AQI) of 171, or unhealthy, across North Jersey, as of 7:30 p.m., caused by the smoke that blanketed the region. Click here to see an active AQI map or click here to check your town's AQI.
Prolonged dry conditions, unseasonably warm temperatures, and strong winds have contribut…
Car Burglar Busted In Wallington After Trying To Flee On Bike: Police
A man was arrested in Wallington on the early morning of Monday, Sept. 23 after being wanted for multiple vehicle break-ins, authorities said.
At 4:54 a.m., officers were on patrol at Wallington Avenue and Lester Street when they observed a man, Rashon Johnson, who had been wanted for committed multiple motor vehicle burglaries in the region, Wallington police said.
Johnson's hat and bike matched a previous description provided to police, they said. Johnson was ordered to stop, but refused and pedaled on his bicycle at a high rate of speed, police said.
Johnson sped toward police, wh…
Questionable Facebook Use Uncovers NJ Man's Trove Of Illegal Guns, Ammo, Cops Say
A 35-year-old Passaic County resident's cache of illegal firearms, high-capacity magazines, ammunition, sharp-edged weapons, ballistics body armor, and more were uncovered after authorities were tipped off to his reckless behavior in Facebook groups and on the roads.
A tip came in regarding Kyle Arena on Tuesday, Sept. 24, saying he had a track record of posting questionable content on social media, ranging from pointing firearms at people while driving and photos of illegal items, like silencers, Totowa Police Chief Carmen Veneziano said.
The tip, which came in via email, included screensh…
Two West Nile Virus-Related Deaths Among Six New Cases Reported In New Jersey
New Jersey health officials are reporting an additional six cases of West Nile Virus including two deaths, and two presumptive viremic blood donor (PVD) cases in the state.
The six new WNV cases are residents of Bergen, Camden, Cumberland, Hudson, Mercer, and Middlesex counties (one 50+, two 60+, one 70+, two 80+). The two individuals who died were older adults from Cumberland and Mercer counties, the DOH said.
Two human cases of WNV were reported earlier this year in Middlesex and Union counties.
Seven out of the eight cases were hospitalized with neuroinvasive disease, includi…
Longtime New Jersey Rep. Bill Pascrell Dies At 87
Rep. Bill Pascrell, a Democrat who served in Congress for almost 30 years and was a former Mayor of Paterson, died on Wednesday, Aug. 21, at the age of 87, his family announced.
"It is with deep sadness that we announce that Bill Pascrell Jr., our beloved husband, father, and grandfather, passed away this morning," his family wrote on social media.
"As our United States Representative, Bill fought to his last breath to return to the job he cherished and to the people he loved. Bill lived his entire life in Paterson and had an unwavering love for the city he grew up in and served. He i…
Tornado Watch Shifts, Now Covers These Counties Across NJ, PA As Debby Creeps In
The National Weather Service has shifted its tornado watch across New Jersey and Pennsylvania as Hurricane Debby creeps in.
In New Jersey, the tornado watch is in effect through 10 p.m. Friday, Aug. 9 and covers Bergen, Essex, Hunterdon, Mercer, Middlesex, Morris, Passaic, Somerset, Sussex, Union and Warren counties in North Jersey.
In Pennsylvania, the tornado watch is issued in Lehigh, Northampton, Carbon, Monroe, and Bucks counties.
The tornado threat for South Jersey has diminished since the initial watch was issued early Friday morning, which has since been canceled.
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