Rain may help New Jersey wildfire battle, gusts threaten to fan California fire

LOS ANGELES: The first measurable rainfall over New Jersey in weeks raised hopes on Monday of snuffing out a rash of wildfires that has plagued the state, while stronger winds brought concern that a California blaze that had already destroyed dozens of structures could start expanding again.

Wildfire outbreaks are a relatively common occurrence in California, but the East Coast blazes are unusual. The largest of them has torched some 3,000 acres in a forested area straddling the New York-New Jersey border.

The blaze, known as the Jennings Creek fire, has already killed one person, an 18-year-old employee of New York State Parks department, according to local police. Police said in a statement that Daniel Vasquez died while battling the fire as it ripped through Sterling Forest on the shore of Greenwood Lake, about 80-kms northwest of New York City.

On Monday, crews got a break when the first measurable precipitation fell on the region since mid-September. The New Jersey Forest Fire Service said about a quarter inch of rain fell across Jennings Creek fire overnight.

The size of the fire and its containment, at 10 percent, however were unchanged on Monday morning from Sunday. “This provided an opportunity to rest several of the crews who have been working non-stop to contain this fire,” the service said. “Today, crews are be back on scene and will continue to improve containment lines and address areas of concern.” In California, firefighters have slowly gained on the 20,630 acre (8,350 hectares) Mountain Fire as it burned about 80-kms northwest of Los Angeles.