Updates On Local Wildfires

By Mrs. I. Perl

As reported by Daily Monroe, a large wildfire started in Greenwood Lake over the weekend as one of multiple fires that have cropped up in NY due to the dry conditions.

As of Monday morning around 5,000 acres have been burned, and only 20% of the fire is contained. Several fire departments from surrounding areas have been dispatched to help fight the fire as it has already crossed into New Jersey. The fire departments are employing resources such as helicopters, water tanks and over 200 firefighters on the ground to fight the blaze.

One 18-year-old NYS Parks and Recreation employee, Dariel Vasquez from Rockland County, has died from a tree that collapsed on him while he was assisting on the scene. Vasquez was a recent graduate from Ramapo High School and was slated to start college in January. Fire officials from New York and New Jersey, as well as Governor Hochul, have expressed their condolences to his family. 

The Town Supervisor of Warwick, Jesse Dwyer, has said that this is one of the worst natural disasters to hit the town in many years. Despite minimal rain yesterday, the record-breaking dry spell is expected to continue as no rain is predicted for the rest of the week.