The battle to tame that massive wildfire on the border
of New York and New Jersey continues this evening.
Firefighters have been working around the clock since early Saturday
to keep more acres from burning, and they are making
progress.
Eyewitness News reporter Marcus Solis live in Greenwood Lake, where
first responders are using more fire to fight fire.
Marcus Absolutely, Sandra And this is perhaps the most delicate
fire line of the entire operation.
Edgemere Rd.
becomes E Shore Rd.
here in Lake Greenwood.
It is where several homes are located that they've been
protecting and they have indeed been fighting fire with fire.
These are good flames.
Fire that's been intentionally set to burn up dried leaves
and brush so that if the wildfire reaches it, there's
no fuel left to help it spread.
This controlled burn is taking place on Edgemere Rd.
on the edge of Greenwood Lake, but it's also where
many homes sit on the edge of Sterling Forest.
It's been crazy.
It's everyday it's like a little closer, a little closer,
a little closer.
So we're just waiting.
It's a waiting game.
The Jennings Creek wildfire that started Saturday is now 50%
contained on the New Jersey side.
In New.
The terrain is a little more challenging, making containment more
difficult.
In Greenwood Lake, crews of extended hoses and stationed fire
trucks near home should they need to use water to
protect structures.
There haven't been mandatory evacuations, but many residents have left
voluntarily.
It's been smoky at times.
The power went off.
We had to stay at our daughters in New Jersey
for it's a little intimidating with the fire.
You know, it's coming from the top and from the
sides.
But these guys, they are first rate.
The goal today was to burn 1000 acres to further
corral the fire into one area.
Residents have been told to expect smoky conditions.
Schools are closed and the county is under a state
of emergency.
But fire officials say they're pleased with their progress while
acknowledging they're at the mercy of Mother Nature.
Depending on when where these embers blow and and you
know the number of fires that come along during this
time, you know, nothing's guaranteed.
And in the last couple of minutes, New Jersey are
updating their figures to indicate the fire on the Jersey
side.
Now 75% contain so much progress that they were able
to shift some crews here to assist in New York.
Tomorrow, another thousand acre burn is planned as they continue
to fight for containment.