Emergency crews are combating wildfires on both coasts of the United States. Among the blazes is one in New York and New Jersey that tragically resulted in the death of a parks employee and led to the postponement of Veterans Day celebrations. Another significant wildfire in southern California has destroyed over 130 structures.
Firefighters are making headway against a wildfire northwest of Los Angeles in Ventura County, which ignited last Wednesday and grew rapidly due to dry, warm, and gusty winds.
The Mountain Fire forced thousands of residents to evacuate their homes and was reported to be 31% contained yesterday, an increase from 26% the day before.
Some residents have been permitted to return home; however, road closures and evacuation warnings are still in effect in certain areas, according to the Ventura County Fire Department.
Firefighters assist in searching for belongings among the debris of a house in California.
In other news, New York State Police are investigating the tragic death of Dariel Vasquez, an 18-year-old state parks employee who died Saturday afternoon after a tree fell on him while he fought a major brush fire in Sterling Forest, near Greenwood Lake, close to the New Jersey border.
The New Jersey state forest fire service reported that the Jennings Creek Wildfire is threatening 25 structures, including two homes in New Jersey.
In West Milford, New Jersey, a Veterans Day ceremony has been postponed to later this month due to ongoing firefighting efforts.
Health advisories have been issued for parts of New York, including New York City, and northeastern New Jersey because of unhealthy air quality caused by smoke from the fires.
Residents are advised to limit strenuous outdoor activities whenever possible.
However, progress has been made regarding other fires.
New Jersey officials announced 75% containment of a 70-hectare fire in the Pompton Lakes area of Passaic County, which was threatening 55 homes, although no evacuations were ordered. Additionally, advancements have been made against other fires in the state amid extremely dry conditions.
In New Jersey, Ocean County prosecutors revealed arson and firearms charges on Saturday linked to a 142-hectare fire in Jackson Township that began last Wednesday.
By the end of the week, the fire was largely contained, officials reported.
They noted that the blaze was ignited by magnesium shards from a shotgun round on a shooting range.
Meanwhile, in Massachusetts, one of several wildfires fueled by strong winds and dry leaves has scorched hundreds of hectares in Lynn Woods Reservation, a municipal park spanning about 9 sq km in the city located approximately 16 km north of Boston.
The Lynn Fire Department indicated that “we are experiencing a dry spell we have not encountered during this time of year in many years.”
