(MENAFN– IANS) New York, Nov 10 (IANS) Wildfires in the northeastern United States have continued to spread, reaching the suburban areas of New York City days ago and worsening air quality throughout the city and nearby regions during the weekend.

The New Jersey Wildland Fire Service reported Saturday morning that it had contained 40 percent of a 39-acre wildfire along the Palisades Interstate Parkway in New Jersey. The affected area is located on the western bank of the Hudson River, near Manhattan and only about 13 kilometers north of Central Park, reports the Xinhua news agency.

The Forest Fire Service said in a post that its crews remain on scene with fire trucks and ground support. Meanwhile, the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation issued an air quality alert until 11 p.m. Saturday for New York City, Rockland and Westchester, citing an increase in particulate matter from wildfires in northern New Jersey.

A brown haze was visible over the New York City skyline, with smoke hanging in the air.

Additionally, firefighters are dealing with a large wildfire near Jennings Creek, which spans Passaic County, New Jersey, and Orange County, New York. The wildland fire service also reported that this fire, which covers 2,000 acres, threatened 10 structures and remained uncontained.

Fire crews are working to manage approximately 15 active wildfires in Pennsylvania, New Jersey and Connecticut as of Saturday, according to the Fire, Weather and Avalanche Center, which is providing public updates. Several road closures have been imposed, including a section of Interstate 287 near Pompton Lake in Passaic County.

The U.S. National Weather Service issued a Red Flag Warning for much of Connecticut, southern New York state and northeastern New Jersey, highlighting critical fire weather.

The wildfires killed one firefighter, injured six others and forced the evacuation of six homes in Jackson Township, New Jersey. Connecticut and New Jersey have seen an increase in wildfire activity due to unusually dry conditions.