Firefighters spent most of last weekend battling one of the largest fires in Livingston’s history. The blaze began Saturday afternoon, October 26, exacerbated by the extremely dry conditions and wind; it was 90 percent contained as of 8 p.m. Sunday, and will stay that way until significant rainfall extinguishes the remainder.
The New Jersey Forest Fire Service (NJFFS), working in unified command with the Livingston Fire Department, expected the wildfire to spread to 192 acres by the time it was completely contained. NJFFS sent 15 engines and 45 firefighters to assist.
The fires burned mainly in the area of Eisenhower Parkway and Route 10 (West Mt. Pleasant Avenue), and while there were several road closures in the area, there were no reported injuries or damage to structures. It stretched from Industrial Parkway up alongside the Passaic River, extending east along West Mt. Pleasant Avenue and north along Eisenhower Parkway.
The cause of the fire remained under investigation as of press time.
A Massive Response
The Livingston Fire Department had its full complement of available members and trucks respond to the fire. The department took care of the initial knockdown before the NJFFS took over controlling the spread.
Every municipality in the county, and many in the neighboring counties, contributed to the effort, Fire Chief Chris Mullin said. He added that the department was still in the process of receiving a list of all of the first responding agencies that helped battle the blaze. Crews from Essex and Morris Counties, as well as state and federal agencies all (Continued on Page A-6) responded. Fire, police, EMS, and citizen volunteers all contributed to the effort. The Tribune will publish a full list of the responding agencies once we recieve it.
Chief Mullin noted that a fire is not considered 100 percent contained until the fire is completely out.
“We’re still going to have embers and stuff burning inside that area, but it’s not going to go anywhere because it’s contained,” he said. “The Forest Fire Service is confident it is contained.”
The NJFFS, according to Mullin, “worked tirelessly around the clock since the fire’s inception battling hot spots, cutting trees, and doing back burns and fire lines.”
Back burns are intentionally set fires to control the direction of where the fire will burn. These controlled burns keep it away from people and buildings.
“Given the magnitude that the fire grew to, due to the red flag conditions and sustained wind on Saturday, it became challenging to chase the fire. But the primary goal was to protect the structures, especially 530 West Mt. Pleasant Avenue,” Mullin said. “We used our PA system, driving around the area telling people to evacuate the businesses as the fire progressed east toward 277 Eisenhower Parkway (The Shoppes at Livingston Circle) and Staples. The fires rolled up close to those buildings, but we held it from extending to them. Neighboring ladder trucks worked the roofs to look out for embers.”
The Fire Chief said crews were also concerned with protecting the town’s sewage treatment plant as the fire traveled north, as well as buildings on Naylon and Dorsa Avenues along Eisenhower Parkway, including anAtlantic Health Care building.
“That was a priority and we had mutual aid all throughout those streets,” Mullin said. “Those fire chiefs did an outstanding job.”
At its peak Saturday evening, 48 structures and six commercial businesses were threatened. Route 10 westbound, Eisenhower Parkway, Naylon Avenue, Dorsa Avenue, and Industrial Parkway were all closed at that time. The roadways have since reopened.
Under Control
As of Monday night, the NJFFS left the scene, according to Mullin. NJFFS officials expected to be back the rest of the week to monitor control lines and address areas of concern to ensure public safety until significant precipitation occurs. Those officials will reassess the situation on Friday.
On Monday evening, Mullin said he was surveying the scene and could still see little pockets of fire. While there are no longer significant flames – and what is burning is safely within the perimeter and in no danger of spreading – burning and smoldering is expected to continue until there is significant rainfall.
Until that significant rainfall occurs, which does not appear to be in the coming few days, there will continue to be smoke in the western part of Livingston. Mullin urged residents not to panic as it lingers.
“This is part of what happens with wildfires,” he said.
Chief Mullin said that the mornings will be the worst for smoke conditions until rainfall comes.
“We’re in a holding pattern. It’s just something we are going to have to deal with until we get rain,” Mullin said. “In the morning hours, it will be worse, and then smoke will lift during the day. It’s a repeated cycle every morning.”
Community Steps Up
The Shoppes at Livingston Circle and other nearby businesses were also evacuated at that time. Some schools and daycare centers near the fire were closed on Monday.
Residents also supported the cause as best they could. Emily Hans collected food and water for first responders at her Midway Drive home over the weekend. She also helped coordinate with local restaurants to help. Businesses who provided food to first responders included Nero’s, Tony Boy’s, Landmark, Ritz Diner, Kings, ShopRite, Master Pizza, Turano’s, Livingston Bagel and Bagels By Jarrett. This is a partial list of businesses that the Tribune has heard from, though there are surely more.
Mayor’s Statement
“On behalf of our entire town, we express our deepest gratitude to all those involved in fighting the wildfire, from our town’s incredibly brave fire, police, first aid, auxiliary police, DPW, and Hatzalah, as well as our town manager, to the county and every single Essex County town and several Morris County towns who all helped, to the extraordinary NJ Forest Fire Service and DEP, and U.S. Fish and Wildlife,” Mayor Al Anthony said Monday evening during the Township Council meeting. “It was awe-inspiring seeing you all put yourselves in harm’s way to protect all of us. From backfires and perimeters, to helicopters with water, the techniques and equipment you used worked and kept us all safe.”
Mayor Anthony continued, “Personally, it was amazing to collaborate with professionals who seamlessly worked together as a seasoned team using their own unique knowledge and leadership skills to ensure our safety. The fact that there was not one reported injury or any structures damaged is an incredible outcome of this daunting task. This was a major wildfire, well over 100 acres, nearly 200, in a very dry season with a wind kicking up, especially on Saturday… Kudos to you all who worked and worked despite it being an uncommon crisis to our area.”
The mayor also thanked the residents and businesses who pitched in to help, as well as the Bell and Siren Club, which responded and provided refreshments.
“Our residents and businesses flooded us asking for any way to help out. We have such a caring and generous town,” Anthony said. “Thank you also to all the elected officials checking in from federal, state, county and local levels offering help. It’s much appreciated to know that so many people had our backs.”
Fire Restrictions
Due to the combination of dry conditions, low relative humidity, and gusty winds, there remains favorable conditions statewide for the rapid spread of fires that may become difficult to contain.
As such, the NJFFS has enacted Stage 3 fire restrictions throughout the state due to these “red flag” conditions.
This means that all fires are prohibited unless contained in an elevated stove using only propane, natural gas, gas, or electricity. This means that charcoal fires and bonfires are prohibited. Burning leaves remains illegal.
Discharging of fireworks is also not allowed, so the town cannot issue a permit for Diwali fireworks today, Thursday, October 31.
Personal use of fireworks, flame producing devices such as sparklers, or other uses of open flames are also not permitted. They are also not allowed in any exterior settings or in connection with public gatherings for the purposes of entertainment, amusement, or recreation.
“All of that could contribute to another fire and we could have something catastrophic,” Fire Chief Mullin said.
Air Quality
Poor air quality can result from the presence of fine particulate matter due to wildfires. While Mullin noted that there was no air quality alert at the moment, the New Jersey Department of Health issued the following guidelines for poor air quality days: Sensitive populations (which include the elderly, infants and young children, and people with lung diseases such as asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, emphysema or chronic bronchitis) should remain indoors.
• Individuals with asthma: Poor air quality may trigger asthma attacks.
• Individuals with respiratory diseases: Follow physician’s recommendations and respiratory management plan.
People in general should avoid strenuous activities and limit the amount of time they are active outdoors.
For people who work outdoors or need to be outside:
• Take more breaks indoors if possible.
• Shorten the length and intensity of any physical activity.
The most effective way to prevent breathing harmful particles from wildfire smoke is to stay indoors with windows and doors closed.
If an air conditioner is available, run it while keeping the fresh-air intake closed and the filter clean to prevent outdoor smoke from getting inside.
When outdoor air quality is poor, do not use candles and fireplaces which could add to indoor air pollution. Do not vacuum, because vacuuming stirs up particles already inside your home. Do not smoke tobacco or other products, because smoking puts even more pollution into the air.
Do not rely on dust masks for protection. Paper “comfort” or “dust” masks commonly found at hardware stores trap large particles, such as sawdust. These masks will not protect your lungs from smoke. People who must be outside can have some protection from an N95 mask if worn properly.
Fire Chief’s Statement
Chief Mullin issued the following statement on Tuesday: “As a result of the large brush fire on Industrial Parkway, which occurred on Saturday, October 26, the New Jersey Forest Fire Service has stated that ‘Smoke is expected to remain present until significant rain falls over the fire area.’ The NJ Forest Fire Service, along with the Livingston Fire Department, are on scene monitoring the conditions. Anyone in the abovementioned area or surrounding areas is advised to keep windows closed as needed.
“The State of New Jersey is under a Stage 3 Fire Restriction because of the extremely dry conditions and lack of significant rainfall in our area. Under this restriction, not permitted is the use of any type of open flame (such as a fire pit) nor the use of any type of flame producing devices in public gatherings for the purposes of entertainment, amusement or recreation. Also not permitted is the discharge of any type of fireworks such as bottle rockets, sparklers, Roman candles or any other type.
“The Livingston Fire Department will be working with the New Jersey Forest Fire Service to monitor the situation daily and will advise the public as it is needed.
“I would like to thank the members of the LFD for an outstanding job, the New Jersey Forest Fire Service, the Livingston DPW, Livingston Police Department and all the mutual aid Fire Departments, which provided mutual aid to assist us in fighting this fire.
“I would also like to thank the township administration and the many township residents and businesses for the tremendous support all the firefighters received in fighting this fire.”
