Residents who fled more than 160 homes along the New York-New Jersey border over the weekend were hoping to return Monday after authorities said they gained the upper hand on a wildfire burning for more than a week.
The New York State Park Police said the fire had burned almost 8 square miles but was 88% contained late Sunday. Winds died down, allowing firefighters to conduct “burnout operations” and protect all homes in the area.
In Warwick, New York, Supervisor Jesse Dwyer said the voluntary evacuations there helped firefighters in the “unprecedented challenge” to regain control of the Jennings Creek fire , which had breached a containment line.
“We have learned to never celebrate achievements too early,” Warwick Supervisor Jesse Dwyer said in a Facebook post late Sunday. “Our goal will be to get residents back home by tomorrow and we will evaluate if that can be done safely.”
In the nearby Village of Greenwood Lake, Mayor Tom Howley also sounded a positive note but warned that “due to the complex terrain, smoke will remain noticeable in valleys overnight and into the morning.”