Strengthening winds and bone-dry conditions were hindering firefighters working to gain control of a stubborn wildfire burning in a forested stretch along the New York-New Jersey state border about 50 miles (80 km) northwest of New York City.

The Jennings Creek fire is currently burning across 3,500 acres, officials said, and is expected to grow to over 5,000 acres.

Wildfires are rarer in North Jersey and the southern part of New York than other regions, but a record dry spell has put all forested areas in danger. A wildfire broke out over the weekend in Prospect Park,

Fire crews are continuing to fight a blaze in New York and New Jersey on Monday that killed a parks employee and postponed Veterans Day plans. As of Monday evening, the Jennings Creek Wildfire has scorched more than 3,