A week after the Jennings Creek wildfire erupted in North Jersey, officials said the blaze is largely under control.
The sprawling fire, which spans parts of Passaic County in New Jersey and Orange County in New York, is roughly 5,000 acres in total size. The wildfire consumed about 2,300 acres in New Jersey, with about 90% of that now contained, officials said. Meanwhile, officials estimated about 65% is contained on the New York side, with nearly 3,000 acres consumed.
The fire had threatened more than a dozen structures earlier this week, and an 18-year-old volunteer forest ranger in New York was killed while fighting the fire.
No structures remained threatened in New Jersey as of Friday, officials said, and most local roads in the West Milford area had been reopened. The Long Pond Ironworks historic village has reopened to visitors, although the area’s hiking trails remained closed.
Officials said the fire’s interior will continue to smolder and flare up until significant rain or snow falls, and smoke will remain present in the area.
