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Sunday, nov 17
Tag:
Firefighting
Police & Fire
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 & Fire
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…
Obituaries
Remembering Dariel Vasquez: 18-Year-Old HS Baseball Team Captain Killed In NY/NJ Wildfire
Shock and sadness spread following the death of 18-year-old firefighter Dariel Vasquez, who was killed on Saturday, Nov. 9, while bravely battling the Jennings Creek Wildfire that spread from New Jersey into Greenwood Lake, New York. Vasquez, a young Parks and Recreation Aide with the New York State Parks, Recreation, and Historic Preservation Department, lost his life in the line of duty, a heartbreaking end to a life full of promise and service. New York State Police are investigating the circumstances of his death. Known as a rising star in his community, Dariel was a former R…
Police & Fire
Air Quality Levels Improve, 3,000-Acre Wildfire Still Raging In West Milford
A sprawling wildfire, now covering 3,000 acres, continues to burn through West Milford Monday, Nov. 11, however, air quality levels across the region have improved. The Jennings Creek Wildfire threatens 24 structures across both New Jersey and New York, including two homes in New Jersey, eight historic buildings in the Long Pond Ironworks Historic District, and 14 structures on East Shore Road in Greenwood Lake, NY, the New Jersey Forest Fire Service said. As of the latest update, the fire is only 10% contained, prompting officials to close East Shore and Beech Roads, along with all tr…
Police & Fire
2,500-Acre Jennings Creek Wildfire Continues To Burn, Cannonball 3 Wildfire Mostly Contained
A massive wildfire spanning 2,500 acres is burning through West Milford, NJ, and into Orange County, NY, threatening homes and historic sites as firefighters battle to contain it. Known as the Jennings Creek Wildfire, the blaze has put two residential buildings in New Jersey and 14 structures on East Shore Road in New York at risk, along with eight historic buildings in the Long Pond Ironworks Historic District, the New Jersey Forest Fire Service said in the latest update Sunday morning, Nov. 10. Good Morning West Milford, Today Forest Fire will begin back burn operations in the …
Police & Fire
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…
Police & Fire
Illegal Shotgun Round Sparked 350-Acre Jackson Wildfire, Brick Man Charged: Officials
A massive wildfire that scorched 350 acres in Jackson Township was ignited by an illegal shotgun round that authorities said was fired by a 37-year-old Brick Township man. Authorities charged Richard Shashaty, 37, with arson after an investigation revealed that magnesium shards from a prohibited Dragon’s Breath 12-gauge shotgun round sparked the blaze on Nov. 6, Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer said. The fire, known as the Shotgun Wildfire, erupted shortly after noon on November 6 near the Central Jersey Rifle Range on Stump Tavern Road. Investigators determined that the incendi…
Weather
Wildfire Smoke Blankets North Jersey As Pompton Lakes Blaze Grows To 100 Acres
Residents across North Jersey are facing worsening air quality due to smoke from a major wildfire burning in Pompton Lakes. UPDATE: Unhealthy Air Quality Levels Reported In North Jersey As New 1,800-Acre Wildfire Rages Smoke from the Pompton Lakes wildfire. North Jersey Video Service or NJVS Dubbed the "Cannonball 3 Wildfire," the blaze has expanded to 100 acres with no containment, as per the latest update from the New Jersey Forest Fire Service. By late Friday night, Nov. 8, smoke from the raging Passaic County wildfire drifted as far as Fair Lawn, Hackensack, New Milfo…
Police & Fire
Five Wildfires Rage Across NJ: Here's The Latest Update On Each One
New Jersey is actively managing five wildfires across multiple counties, sending smoke into surrounding towns and worsening the air quality. The New Jersey Forest Fire Service (NJFFS) continues efforts to contain the flames under a Red Flag Warning issued through Saturday, Nov. 9, by the U.S. National Weather Service. HIGH Fire Danger Today! A Red Flag Warning is in effect today into this evening as very dry conditions and gusty winds... Posted by US National Weather Service Philadelphia/Mount Holly on Friday, November 8, 2024 Here's the updated status for each of the five wi…
Police & Fire
Watch Officer Who Doubles As Firefighter Pull Victim From Burning NJ Home
A New Jersey police officer who doubles as a firefighter saved a woman from a burning home, and it was all caught on his body-worn camera. Clark Fire Capt. Thomas Sweeney was working his shift as a Millburn police officer when a fire broke out at a home on Old Short Hills Road around 2:45 a.m. Sunday morning, Oct. 26. The bodyworn camera footage shows Sweeney, a Clark firefighter since August 2020, running into the home without protective fire gear. Sweeney then finds an elderly woman trapped and pulls her to safety. Firefighters said all other occupants had already escaped and that the fi…
Police & Fire
Photos: Firefighters Battle 77-Acre Forest Fire In Morris County
Firefighters are working to contain a 77-acre wildfire in Morris County this weekend. The New Jersey Forest Fire Service said that 30% of the fire along Jacobs Road in Rockaway Township had been contained as of Sunday morning, Oct. 20. The fire threatened 30 structures but none of them were evacuated. A helicopter capable of dropping 350 gallons of water dropped 15 loads of water on the fire Saturday, Oct. 19, the NJFFS said. The cause remains under investigation. Multiple fire departments shared stunning photos of firefighting efforts. 10-19-2024. Mutual Aid. Brush Fire Rockawa…
Police & Fire
Wildfire Consumed 35 Acres In Pine Barrens Forest, Elevated Risk Across NJ Reported
Firefighters were battling a second wildfire in Burlington County in less than a week, officials said. Crews responded to the "multi-acre" fire near Mary Ann Forge Road in the Brendan T. Byrne State Forest in Pemberton Township on Wednesday, Oct. 16, the state Forest Fire Service (NJFFS) said in a Facebook post. Officials said the fire had consumed 35 acres but had been 60 percent contained. No evacuations have been issued, no buildings were threatened, and no roads were closed by the wildfire. "Breezy winds with occasional gusts near 20 mph, relative humidity values n…
Police & Fire
Fire Breaks Out at Somerset County Restaurant: Firefighters
The Station Tavern in Bernardsville caught on fire on the early morning of Tuesday, Sept. 24, authorities said. At 2:10 a.m., firefighters in Bernardsville responded to the restaurant at 45 Mine Brook Rd. after receiving reports of smoke in the building and found an active fire, Bernardsville Fire Co. No. 1 & First Aid Squad said. Mutual aid responded to assist, firefighters said. Firefighters declared the fire under control after an hour and units operated on scene for two hours, firefighters said. There were no reported injuries, firefighters said.
Police & Fire
BF Set GF's House On Fire After Being Kicked Out In Central Jersey, Police Say
A 50-year-old man has been arrested after police say he set his girlfriend's house on fire in South Brunswick. Officers were called to the home at 155 Old Beekman Place by a resident around 3 a.m. Tuesday, Sept. 3, asking for help making Leonard Jones IV leave the home, South Brunswick Police Chief Raymond Hayducka said. Boyfriend charged with setting fire to girlfriend’s parents home. Three residents escaped the fire.#Arson pic.twitter.com/rtdaS7YJDv — So Brunswick PD (@SoBrunswickPD) September 3, 2024 As officers were responding, a second 9-1-1 call came in, this one saying the …
Police & Fire
Boat Explosion Launches Victim Into Water At NJ Marina, 2 Injured (
Update
)
Two people were injured in a fiery boat explosion at a New Jersey marina Wednesday afternoon, Aug. 28, police said. The explosion at the Route 35 Raritan Marina in Laurence Harbor caused a 57-year-old Old Bridge resident to be launched into the water, police said. He was rescued by bystanders and airlifted with burns to his face and legs. First responders battle boat fire at Raritan Marina in Old Bridge, New Jersey https://t.co/vX7KGJm5W4 pic.twitter.com/rw9qXFZgPQ — Eyewitness News (@ABC7NY) August 28, 2024 A 47-year-old South Amboy resident suffered blast injuries from gla…
Police & Fire
Popeyes Restaurant Catches Fire In Central Jersey, Route 35 Closed As Crews Battle Flames
Firefighters were battling a large fire at a Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen restaurant in Monmouth County, officials said. The Red Bank Fire Department responded to the scene, according to a Facebook post at 6:50 a.m. on Friday, July 5. The fast food restaurant is located on Route 35 near Wolcott Park and the intersection with Route 71. July 5, 2024 Structure Fire — Popeyes (RT 35) Red Bank Fire Department Engine 94 on the scene in Eatontown, ((Mutual Aid Response )) Photo credits from all departments Posted by Red Bank Fire Department on Friday, July 5, 2024 The state Department o…
Police & Fire
Update
: Ferocious Fire Displaces Dozens in Bayonne
UPDATE: A ferocious late-night fire that consumed one Bayonne home and spread to three others displaced nearly two dozen people, authorities confirmed. No serious injuries were reported in the blaze, which ignited in a West 11th Street home off Avenue C shortly before 11 p.m. Friday, June 7, and quickly spread. Flames fully engulfed the main home and began to spread, bringing dozens of firefighters from neighboring communities. The fire was declared under control around 1:30 a.m. The speed and intensity of the blaze forced the city's bravest to "pull everything out and go on the offensive…
Police & Fire
Sick
Burn
: Spurned Woman Sets Fire To Ex-BF’s Garfield Apartment, Authorities Charge
𝗨𝗣𝗗𝗔𝗧𝗘: A woman who vowed to torch her ex-boyfriend's Garfield apartment carried out the threat, said authorities who arrested her after reviewing surveillance video and other evidence. Allison G. Gutierrez-Tuesta, 25, had previously damaged the victim’s car and assaulted him when he ended their relationship, according to local investigators. Shortly after 10:30 a.m. Sunday, April 28, she ignited two areas of his second-floor Passaic Street apartment near the Garfield train station, Bergen County Prosecutor Mark Musella said. One was in his bedroom and the other in the hallway. Gutierrez-…
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