**Jennings Creek Wildfire Triggers Evacuations on New York-New Jersey Border**

A forceful wildfire has prompted a voluntary evacuation in areas bordering New York and New Jersey. Known as the Jennings Creek fire, the blaze intensified over the weekend, leading officials to urge residents of 165 homes to temporarily leave their properties.

Originating at Greenwood Lake's east end, the fire advanced rapidly due to strong winds, sweeping through approximately 5,000 acres over the past ten days. This led New York State to issue its first voluntary evacuation directive on Saturday night. Two communities in Warwick, NY, found themselves in the fire's path, although the extent of the evacuations remains uncertain. Some displaced residents have temporarily taken refuge at Greenwood Lake Middle School, while others have found different accommodations.

The evacuation is expected to remain in effect until at least Monday, with Greenwood Lake schools declaring closures for the same day. This occurs against a backdrop of extreme dryness. The region has seen virtually no rainfall since September 29, fuelling brush fires that have ravaged parts of New York, New Jersey, and Connecticut.

In response to the dry conditions, a burn ban has been implemented in all three states, prohibiting activities like bonfires and trash burning. The U.S. Drought Monitor reports that by November 12, nearly half of the continental United States was experiencing drought conditions.

Meteorologists forecast some relief this week, predicting around two inches of rainfall between early Wednesday and Thursday night. However, this precipitation will only make a small dent in the severe dryness, as the area remains 7 to 8 inches below normal rainfall levels for the year.

Officials remain hopeful that the midweek rain will curb the wildfire's spread by wetting the dry vegetation that fuels the flames. In New York City, a drought warning remains in effect, with citizens urged to conserve water amid the ongoing crisis. Notably, the New York Fire Department responded to 271 brush fires between November 1 and November 14, marking a record high for a two-week period.

A task force has been established to tackle these recurring incidents. Dubbed a "historic increase" by Fire Commissioner Robert S. Tucker, the task force will include various specialists such as fire marshals and tactical drone units. Their mission is to investigate fire causes and enhance the department's response strategies.

In the effort to combat the Jennings Creek fire, helicopters from the New York Army National Guard and the New York State Police dumped nearly 22,000 gallons of water from overhead. Despite these efforts, the fire continues to smolder, primarily within Sterling Forest State Park.