Jennings Creek fire is completely contained: Gov. Hochul

NEW YORK (PIX11) – The Jennings Creek wildfire is now fully contained after burning New York and New Jersey for two weeks, Gov. Kathy Hochul announced Friday. 

The blaze burned over 5,300 acres, killing one teenager and forcing people to evacuate, officials said. It sparked in New York on Nov. 8 and by Friday was 100% contained and 100% controlled, Hochul said. 

Sterling Forest Start Park on Saturday will reopen to hikers and hunters east of Long Meadow Road and north of Route 17A, but parts of the park directly burned will remain closed. 

The statewide burn ban will remain in effect through Nov. 30, prohibiting all outdoor fires. Locals are encouraged to use extreme caution when grilling outside and keep all campfires under three feet tall, state officials said. 

In New Jersey, the fire ban was lifted on Thursday after rain improved conditions.

The region has seen some much-needed rain this week, but it may not be enough to alleviate the drought conditions around New York City. New York City up to Schoharie County remain on a drought warning, according to the state’s Department of Environmental Conservation. 

18-year-old Dariel Vasquez was killed while fighting the fire in Sterling Forest State Park on Nov. 9. His loved ones remember Vasquez as a giving and brave community leader who was the captain of his baseball team at Ramapo High School.