‘Explosive Fire Growth’ Friday In NJ As Red Flag Warnings Issued
NEW JERSEY — All of New Jersey is under a Red Flag Warning on Friday for potential"explosive" fire growth fueled by the ongoing drought, forecasters and officials said.
State Forest Fire crews have responded to several other major wildfires this week as drought conditions worsen across the state. Friday's gusty winds and very low humidity mean that any outdoor fires can spread quickly and become difficult to control, the National Weather Service said.
There will be a risk of rapid fire spread from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday with the greatest danger during the afternoon, according to the NWS office in Mount Holly.
Westerly winds of 10-20 miles per hour are expected throughout the day, with gusts up to 30 miles per hour.
Parts of South Jersey and the Shore are in an "extreme drought" condition, according to the most recent U.S. Drought Monitor report. The rest of the state remains in moderate or severe drought.
The weather office and Forest Fire Service ask residents to follow burn restrictions, properly dispose of cigarette butts and matches, and be careful with any equipment that may cause sparks.
"With a lack of rain over the last month or so, very dry fuels are in place," NWS forecasters said.
Mandatory statewide Stage 3 fire restrictions remain in effect. All fires are banned unless they are contained in an elevated stove using only propane, natural gas or electricity. No wood or charcoal fires are allowed, and the use of kerosene or gas torches of any kind is prohibited, officials said.
The fire ban is in place on all public lands and private properties in all municipalities throughout the state, officials said.
Firefighters Working 'Nonstop'
The Forest Fire Service responded to 507 incidents statewide in October, which was New Jersey's driest on record. There had been 934 wildfire responses in 2024 as of Oct. 23, consuming more than 6,700 acres of forest.
Bill Donnelly, State Forest Firewarden and Chief of the Forest Fire Service, told Patch that anything can set off a fire right now because of the extremely dry conditions.
"We need the public to be extra careful," he said. "Running lawnmowers, discarding fireplace ashes, anything could spark a fire."
Donnelly spoke to Patch's Karen Wall at the Cassville Volunteer Fire Company in Jackson, which is the command post for the Forest Fire Service as it battles the " Shotgun" Wildfire that has burned at least 350 acres.
"Our guys have been going nonstop for about five weeks now," Donnelly said Wednesday, adding that the consistent fire calls started in August.
The NJFFS has both full-time and part-time firefighters, but the relentless nature of the fires is taking a toll.
"Some of these guys get home to take a break and get some sleep, and 20 minutes later they're called out to another fire," Donnelly said, referring to the firewardens who are responsible for being the first eyes at fires in their assigned areas.
A wildfire that broke out in Burlington County on Thursday threatened more than 100 homes , and had grown to 200 acres as of the latest Forest Fire Service update.
And on Friday morning , officials reported another wildfire along the Palisades Interstate Parkway in Englewood Cliffs. Henry Hudson Drive is currently closed, and crews did not expect the fire to expand "significantly" in size.
This current dry spell also broke records at two New Jersey airports this week, the NWS Mount Holly office said.
Both Trenton International Airport and Atlantic City International Airport have gone without measurable rainfall for more than a month. On Thursday, both broke records for consecutive days without measurable rainfall.
The 34-day record in Atlantic City was set in 1995, and Trenton's record of 38 days without measurable rainfall had been set all the way back in 1865.
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