West Milford Wildfire Smoke Likely In Part Of Wayne, Officials Say

WAYNE, NJ — Residents in the northern part of Wayne Township may continue to see smoke from a fire burning in West Milford, police said.

The blaze, which has become known as the Jennings Creek Wildfire, stretches the New York-New Jersey border and has reached 3,000 acres. It broke out on Saturday, and officials said an 18-year-old member of the New York State Parks Wildland Fire Crew was killed during the response.

The fire is only 10 percent contained, West Milford Mayor Michele Dale said on Monday morning.

"Operations will continue throughout the day and are expected to last for the entire week," she said.

The fire is burning near Greenwood Lake Turnpike and East Shore Road in West Milford, and across state lines in Orange County, N.Y.

Officials say that 18-year-old ranger Dariel Vasquez died on Saturday in the Hudson Valley area, after a tree fell on him along Shore Road in Greenwood Lake. A GoFundMe page for his family has raised close to $52,000 as of 9:20 a.m. Monday.

The multi-jurisdictional fire has seen the involvement of 43 municipalities in the area from Passaic, Morris, Sussex, and Bergen counties for the structure protection of all buildings and roadways, the department said.

As of the latest update, the wildfire is threatening two homes and eight structures in the Long Pond Ironworks Historic District in West Milford.

"This is a massive operation, and we urge everyone to please avoid the area for your safety and the safety of the emergency personnel," Mayor Dale said.

East Shore Road is closed from Awosting Road to Greenwood Lake Turnpike, and Beech Road is also closed.

Access to Forest Lake Drive, Lake Park Terrace, and East Shore Road will be restricted to residents only, officials said.

"Please try to limit trips, as today's operations will be heavily concentrated in this area," Dale said.

Monday's Veterans Day ceremony will also be rescheduled to Sunday, Nov. 24, said the Commander of West Milford VFW Post 7198.

Nearby residents can check the following Facebook pages for updates Mayor Michele Dale, the West Milford Office of Emergency Management, the West Milford Fire Department, West Milford Police, and the New Jersey Forest Fire Service.