Originally published Governor Hochul Updates New Yorkers on Wildfires Impacting New York State on by https://www.hstoday.us/subject-matter-areas/emergency-preparedness/governor-hochul-updates-new-yorkers-on-wildfires-impacting-new-york-state/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=governor-hochul-updates-new-yorkers-on-wildfires-impacting-new-york-state at Homeland Security
Governor Kathy Hochul today provided an update on the wildfires burning across New York State, including the multi-agency response to fires in Orange and Ulster Counties in coordination with local fire departments and first responders. More than 400 fire departments statewide with over 1,300 personnel have been deployed to combat the fires across the State and to assist with their containment. Under Governor Hochul’s direction, New York National Guard Blackhawk and Chinook helicopters have been working since Nov. 11 and Nov. 14, respectively, and have conducted more than 550 water drops totaling more than 500,000 gallons on the Orange County fire. Scattered rain showers are forecast statewide this evening into the overnight with up to 2″ of rain expected in the Mid-Hudson, New York City, and Capital Regions. The rest of the state is forecast to receive rainfall amounts of up to 0.50″
“As fire departments continue their work to contain wildfires across the State, coordination with localities and our partners in New Jersey remains critical to protect communities close to the fires and keep them safe,” Governor Hochul said. “With rain on the way to help alleviate some strain from the fires and the drought, we encourage New Yorkers to conserve their water usage and not to burn fires outdoors. We thank our first responders and firefighters for their bravery, and know that without them, this fire would be much worse.”
Statewide, there are currently six wildfires in New York State encompassing nearly 6,031 acres, including the Jennings Creek/Sterling Forest State Park fire. The response to New York’s recent wildfires has included multiple agencies taking action to do the following:
Department of Environmental Conservation
- Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Forest Rangers continue to lead New York’s multi-agency response to the wildfires at Jennings Creek/Sterling Forest State Park under Unified Command with New Jersey Forest Fire Service.
- To date, 35 DEC Forest Rangers, wildland firefighters, and other support personnel, in addition to 18 firefighters from Montana, two from Colorado, and hundreds of New York-based volunteers, have been assigned to the fire.The fire has burned 5,304 acres across New York and New Jersey since Nov. 8, and is now 90 percent contained.
- In addition to other small fires responded by local emergency response personnel, DEC Forest Rangers have responded to 69 fires of varying sizes since Oct. 1, 2024. They total more than 6,300 acres, with Jennings Creek by far the largest during this extended period of dry weather.
Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services
- The NY Fire Mobilization and Mutual Aid Plan has been activated to assist Orange County, and the OFPC Fire Operations Center has been activated since the weekend. With these resources and other local support, 427 departments have responded with over 1,300 firefighters.
- NYS Incident Management Team members have provided direct assistance with GIS, logistics, and finance, and a 12-person team is currently supporting onsite coordination.
- More than 20 staff from the Office of Fire Prevention and Control, Office of Emergency Management, and Office of Interoperable and Emergency Communications have provided support to fire operations in Ulster and Orange counties since the weekend of Nov. 9, 2024.
- Transmission support has included communications engineers, a portable radio tower, a satellite communications truck with additional equipment, and coordination with an AT&T/FirstNet site on wheels providing cellular services including cellular 911 capability.
- OEM has coordinated across state agencies to address response capabilities.
- Items from the state’s stockpiles including 225 cots.
New York State Police
- Multiple helicopters have executed approximately 300 water drops.
- Unmanned Aerial Systems (drones) monitoring spread of the fire and firefighting efforts.
- Uniformed troopers assisting with road closures/traffic control.
- Command post staffing.
New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation
- 22 Operations Employees
- 2 OPRHP Dozer with Operators
- 2 Public Information Officers
- 4 Regional Emergency Managers
- 6 Park Forest Rangers
- 9 Park Police Officers
- 1 Park Police Sergeant
- 2 Park Police Lieutenant
- 1 Park Police Captain
- 2 Park Police Majors
- 1 Park Police Chief
An operations employee was fatally injured while responding on Nov. 9.
Division of Military and Naval Affairs
- 2 New York Army National Guard Blackhawk helicopters and 8 aircrew
- 2 New York Army National Guard Chinook helicopters and 10 aircrew
Department of Corrections and Community Supervision
- 20-person crisis team
Department of Transportation
- 4 Bulldozers
The original announcement can be found here.
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Originally published Governor Hochul Updates New Yorkers on Wildfires Impacting New York State on by https://www.hstoday.us/subject-matter-areas/emergency-preparedness/governor-hochul-updates-new-yorkers-on-wildfires-impacting-new-york-state/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=governor-hochul-updates-new-yorkers-on-wildfires-impacting-new-york-state at Homeland Security
Originally published Homeland Security