Long Island firefighters battle Jennings Creek wildfire in upstate Orange County
Crews from the East Meadow Fire Department played a crucial role in preventing destruction at a home.
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Hundreds of Long Island firefighters have been fighting the Jennings Creek Wildfire in upstate Orange County. The fire, which raged for hours across steep, rocky terrain, was fueled by high winds, making it a relentless battle for crews on the ground.
"We were there literally all night long, from 8 p.m. until 7 a.m., just putting out spot fires," said Chris Steel, assistant fire chief of the Manorville Fire Department. Steel and his team were among more than 30 Long Island fire departments that deployed to the area, working in grueling conditions to protect both people and property.
The fire, which advanced rapidly due to strong winds, posed a significant threat to homes in the area.
“We literally watched this fire burn down the hill for five hours, and when it came, everybody stopped the fire everywhere. They didn’t lose any houses,” Steel recalled.
The effort was further supported by an Army National Guard helicopter from Long Island, which helped with aerial firefighting efforts. Crews from the East Meadow Fire Department played a crucial role in preventing destruction at a home.
"We had to scale about 400 feet to the top of the ridge line, with loose rocks, trees burning around us, and fire that was still approaching us," said Assistant Chief Mike Wood, of the East Meadow Fire Department.
East Meadow Fire Chief James Walsh reflected on the mutual support between regions, noting, “When we had Superstorm Sandy, those members from upstate were down here in Long Beach and the areas that were destroyed. So it goes hand in hand, back and forth. Our members right away volunteered to do it.”
The East Meadow Fire Department, which still has about 15 firefighters on the ground in Orange County, is preparing to send even more personnel in the coming days to assist with the ongoing response.
