Firefighters are facing “significant challenges” on Tuesday due to gusty winds as they work to contain a large wildfire on the New Jersey-New York border that remains at 3,500 acres, officials said.
The wildfire burning in West Milford and Orange County, New York is still 20% contained on Tuesday morning — the same as Monday night, the state Forest Fire Service said in mid-morning update.
A red flag warning is in effect for northeastern New Jersey, including Passaic County due to dry, windy conditions, the National Weather Service said.
The warning runs from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. and also covers Bergen, Essex, Hudson and Union counties.
The weather service says to expect northwesterly winds of 15 to 25 mph with occasional gusts up to 35 mph through early evening.
”A red flag warning means that critical fire weather conditions are expected or occurring,” the weather service said. “A combination of strong winds, low relative humidity, and dry fuels will create a significantly elevated fire growth potential.”
Firefighters work at the scene of a large wildfire on Sunday in West Milford. The fire is 3,500 acres and 20% contained on Tuesday morning.New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection
Two homes in West Milford and eight additional buildings in the Long Pond Ironworks Historic District are threatened on Tuesday, though no evacuations are in place, officials said.
Beech Road remains closed as does East Shore Road between Awosting Road and Greenwood Lake Turnpike.
In addition, all trails in Long Pond Ironworks State Park, Tranquility Ridge and in the Ringwood Manor section of Ringwood State Park are closed.
A helicopter with a capacity of 350 gallons of water and fire engines remain on scene Tuesday to aid firefighting efforts.
The good news is that winds will diminish significantly starting Wednesday with no gusty winds expected for the rest of the week.
No rain is in the forecast for days, though. Forecasters say dry conditions will prevail through at least Monday.
The fire started midday Saturday and spread to 2,500 acres and was 0% contained by Sunday morning
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Jeff Goldman may be reached at [email protected].
