Voluntary Evacuations Ordered As Deadly Hudson Valley Wildfire Grows

See Update: 'Pray For Our Responders,' Sterling Forest Fire 'Not Contained'

HUDSON VALLEY, NY — Orange County Executive Steve Neuhaus is urging residents near wildfires in the region to remain calm, but cautious as wildfires have already triggered voluntary evacuation for some residents.

"As the wind picks up into the evening, residents on Cliff Rd have been asked to voluntarily evacuate the area," Warwick Supervisor Jesse Dwyer said. "Every resident on Cliff Rd has been personally contacted by a member of Warwick Police Dept. Forest Service crews cannot work in the woods after dark, but we have more than 20 different fire agencies in the area managing any fire approaching East Shore Rd. Additionally, we have brought in full staffing from Warwick PD to constantly monitor the area and determine if any further evacuations are warranted. If additional evacuations are decided, we will notify residents by the sounding of sirens, a robocall, and when possible, personally knocking on all doors of impacted homes. Do not wait to at least be prepared for potential evacuation. The Warwick Humane Society has offered to take in any dogs or cats as a result of evacuation. If that service is needed, please contact the Warwick Police Dept to make arrangements. If additional evacuations are decided, available shelter sites will be the teen center on Waterstone Road, American Legion on Scott Lynch Way and the Greenwood Lake Middle School."

The county executive said that smoke from the fires is also posing serious concerns.

"Due to strong winds and the persistent smoke from the fires, we urge all residents to take necessary precautions," Neuhaus said. "The smoke is expected to linger in the area for the next week, so please take care, especially if you are sensitive to air quality."

As of 7:30 p.m. on Sunday, officials said that residents of Cliff Road have been asked to voluntarily evacuate. There are still no mandatory evacuation orders in place.

The Fire Service is working with local fire agencies to proactively burn all of the undergrowth along East Shore Road to prevent the fire from jumping the road. During this proactive burn, power has been shut from the Jersey line to the Village of Greenwood Lake. Under ideal circumstances, power should be restored by midnight or sometime overnight, fire officials said.

Meanwhile, state police have identified the firefighter killed battling a historic wildfire in Sterling Forest.

Dariel Vasquez, an 18-year-old Parks and Recreation Aide employed by the New York State Parks, Recreation, and Historic Preservation Department, was killed while battling a forest fire in Sterling Forest, located in Greenwood Lake, according to the the New York State Police, who are are investigating the tragedy.

"At approximately 3:30 p.m. Saturday, an 18-year-old Wildland Fire Crew Member was fatally injured while working the fire line of a brush fire in Sterling Forest State Park near Greenwood Lake," the NYS Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation said in a statement. "The injury was the result of a fallen tree in the vicinity of the fire. Lifesaving measures were administered at the scene but were unsuccessful. The Crew Member, an employee of the Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation working in the Palisades Region, was later pronounced deceased by the Orange County Medical Examiner. The incident remains under investigation by New York State Park Police and New York State Police."

The Red Cross will be staging at the Warwick Village Teen Center on Waterstone Road. Residents in the area who have respiratory issues are being asked to consider leaving their homes to go there.

Officials are limiting travel on East Shore Road to a single lane for local traffic only, because firefighters will need as much space as possible in the roadways to deal with the fire. Those who live in the area can still travel freely in and out of the area.