Wildfires rage on in Orange, Ulster counties

Nov. 12—Gov. Kathy Hochul on Tuesday provided an update on wildfires burning in eastern New York state.

Hochul has deployed a multi-agency response to fires in Orange and Ulster counties in close coordination with local fire departments and first responders, according to a news release from her office.

Aerial investigation shows the Jennings Creek/Sterling State Park wildfire, which is in both New York and New Jersey, encompasses 5,000 acres, half of which is in New York, and is 10% contained in both states. The fire in the town of Denning in Ulster County is 95% contained within 630 acres, the release stated.

Hochul also announced a statewide burn ban is in effect until Nov. 30 due to an increased fire risk as the state continues to experience drought conditions. The burn ban prohibits starting outdoor fires statewide for purposes of brush and debris disposal, as well as uncontained campfires, recreational fires and open fires used for cooking. Backyard fire pits and contained campfires less than three feet in height and four feet in length, width, or diameter are allowed, as are small, contained cooking fires.

“I’m incredibly grateful to the first responders and those on the frontlines that are working around the clock to stop the spread of these fires to protect their fellow New Yorkers,” Hochul said. “As we experience drought conditions and an increased fire risk across the state, now is not the right time to be burning outdoors, and I urge everyone to heed our warnings as we continue to take the necessary precautions to keep all New Yorkers safe.”

From 2007 to 2023, New York state had an average of 117 wildfires per year, with an average of 1,400 acres burned per year. The wildfire at Jennings Creek-Sterling Forest State Park in the town of Warwick, Orange County, supersedes the amount of acreage burned in wildfires in 14 of the 17 years of available data per the National Interagency Fire Center in New York state. In 2008, the Overlooks Fire in the town of Rochester, Ulster County, burned 2,855 acres. The largest brush fire to occur in New York State was the Adirondack Fire of 1903, which lasted for six weeks and burned an of 600,000 acres, according to the release.

Resources from the state Department of Environmental Conservation, Department of Homeland Security and Emergency Services, State Police, state Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation, Division of Military and Naval Affairs and Department of Transportation have been mobilized to assist local firefighters in their efforts, the release stated.

Recent dry conditions are resulting in a “High” fire danger for the Hudson Valley, Catskills, Long Island, Upper Hudson Valley/Champlain and St. Lawrence Fire Danger Rating Areas, according to the release. A high fire danger means all fine, dead fuels ignite readily and fires start easily from most causes, including unattended brush and campfires. The current fire danger map is available on the DEC website. The northern regions were elevated Tuesday due expected gusty winds and lower relative humidities forecasted during the existing prolonged dry spell. Any notable rainfall from the weekend was not areawide. While the winds are expected to calm down after today, dry conditions are expected to continue until the next weather system is expected to arrive later this week.

According to the release, fires may become serious and controlling them is difficult unless they are attacked successfully while still small. Burning garbage or leaves is prohibited year-round in New York state and several municipalities have burn bans currently in effect.