WNYT, Ravena, N.Y. The Ravena Fire Department dispatched a unit to the Jennings Creek Wildfire in Orange County for a three-day deployment after receiving the need for assistance.

From Wednesday through Friday, six people went down.

According to Ravena Fire Chief Kevin Phillips, “it was really smokey when we went out there, and the entire village was filled with smoke, very loud.” We’re not accustomed to helicopters dropping buckets of water.

They arrived at Greenwood Lake with hand tools.

Over 5300 acres of New York and New Jersey have been torched by the fire thus far.

90% of that fire has been contained.

To prevent the fire from spreading, Ravena created a fire line on the first day.

We cut that fire line on the first day since we were sort of behind the residences by the lake. We couldn’t see the fire on the second day, but they knew it was coming, so they said, “We don’t know what will happen when the weather changes, so let’s get this done today.”

The landscape is hilly and rocky.

To prevent the fire from spreading, they performed a prescribed burn on the third day, which was a back burn.

To assist, crews are traveling to Orange County from all over New York.

Fire lines enclose the Jennings Creek Wildfire, which is mostly located in Sterling Forest State Park.

There was no lack of Ravena volunteers.

“It was satisfying to assist,” Chief Phillips remarked. The people down there are having a difficult time. Schools were closed. The area’s roads are completely closed. They are really appreciative of us.

The task is hazardous—even lethal—and physically taxing. Earlier last month, a State Parks employee passed away.

In an effort to stop further wildfires, a statewide burn restriction has been implemented.