The state Department of Environmental Conservation says efforts to protect buildings in the Jennings Creek fire were successful Saturday night after winds caused the fire to escape the containment zone.

Voluntary evacuations were put in place in order to allow firefighters to work uninterrupted.

Work continues on Sunday to push it back.

Officials say last night some of its residents evacuated their homes after a fire jumped one of its containment lines.

The voluntary evacuation was issued for all homes from 32 Edgemere Ave. to Emerald Point. Wah-ta-Wah Park residents were also asked to leave their homes. As of Sunday afternoon, East Shore Road from Sterling Road at the intersection of Wah-Ta-Wah Drive to the north entrance of Woods Road will be closed to public traffic. The Greenwood Lake Union Free School District will also be closed on Monday.

A shelter is available at the Greenwood Lake Middle School. 

Officials say the voluntary evacuation was put in place to prevent the wildfire in Sterling Forest from spreading. 

It comes as a red flag warning was in place across much of that area on Saturday, which, combined with dry conditions, risks fire escalation.

“We are currently in a state of drought watch," said Food & Water Watch New York State Director Laura Shindell. "But state officials and city officials anticipate that it could escalate to a drought warning, a more escalated categorization in the coming weeks.”

The fire has burned more than 5,200 acres in Orange County and is about 88% contained

The Jennings Creek wildfire continues to burn primarily in the Sterling Forest State Park.

Gov. Kathy Hochul says this is the largest fire in the state's history since 2008.

Meanwhile, a wake is being held on Sunday at the T.J. McGowan Funeral Home in Garnerville for Dariel Vasquez, the state parks worker who died last week while helping fight the wildfire at Sterling Forest State Park. Vasquez was just 18 years old.

Hochul on Sunday announced flags on state buildings will be flown at half-staff starting at sunrise on Monday in honor of Vasquez.

“Our thoughts and prayers are with the Vasquez family as they mourn the sudden and tragic loss of Dariel,” Hochul said in a statement. “Dariel was only 18 years old and had a truly bright future ahead of him that has now been unfairly taken away. I commend his dedication to serving and protecting his fellow New Yorkers and his bravery on the front lines.”