Jennings Creek fire in Northeast now 50% contained; brush fires ignite in Manhattan

Hundreds of firefighters overcame adverse conditions to make substantial gains in controlling the Jennings Creek Wildfire on the New York/New Jersey border Wednesday, when two other brush fires ignited in a Manhattan park.

The Jennings Creek fire is 50% contained, the New Jersey Forest Fire Service said in a Wednesday evening update , after reporting 30% containment earlier in the day. Authorities have said the blaze has burned 5,000 acres across both states.

Suppression efforts were initially hampered by dry air and extensive foliage that serves as tinder after two months without substantial rain. The National Weather Service had warned that low relative humidity levels and wind gusts of around 15 mph through the afternoon “could support the rapid spread of any fires that ignite, which could quickly become difficult to control.’’

Helicopters have been dousing portions of the blaze with water as crews tried to make their way through terrain described by New Jersey fire Commander Christopher Franek as “very steep, rugged country.’’

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