Orange County officials: Wildfire could take weeks to bring under control
Orange County Executive Steve Neuhaus hoped that more progress would've been made as firefighters continued to fight the wildfire over the weekend.
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Orange County officials believe the wildfire in the Greenwood Lake area could take a few weeks to bring under control.
Orange County Executive Steve Neuhaus hoped that more progress would've been made as firefighters continued to fight the wildfire over the weekend.
He said Sunday the high winds and dry ground, especially at night, have made it hard to make significant progress.
"We're going to fight this until we win," Neuhaus said.
Crews have been working around the clock to battle the flames.
"You're going to have some great gains during the day," Neuhaus said. "At nighttime is when the fire has been making its gains."
Neuhaus added he's disappointed about how the fire has spread over the last few days. He said the dry weather conditions are making it difficult to fight the flames.
"This fire is going to be fought for a couple of weeks," he said.
The news is of concern for Greenwood Lake residents.
"This creates a knot in my stomach," said Rachel Bertoni, of Greenwood Lake.
"It's very heartbreaking," added Michelle Ruggiero, another resident.
Some residents said they have cars packed just in case.
"I have basically destroyed my home just trying to get pictures off the wall and things that mean something to me and my husband because when you think that you're going to lose everything, you just look around and go, 'what is really important to us?'" Bertoni said.
Residents told News 12 that the last few days have been a rollercoaster of emotions.
"It's making me very sad for the people that I live with and in this town," Ruggiero said.
Residents, however, are extremely grateful for the crews who are battling the wildfire.
The shelter at the Greenwood Lake Middle School will be moved to the American Legion with the hope that schools will be able to reopen on Tuesday.
Officials said 12 people used the shelter Saturday night.
