The New Jersey Forest Fire Service is calling for vigilance during the peak wildfire season, which runs through mid-May. Despite recent rainfall, officials warn that the risk of wildfires remains high.
To help the public stay informed and safe, the Department of Environmental Protection has introduced several tools, including the NJ Fire Danger Dashboard. This tool provides updates on fire dangers by county and displays any current campfire restrictions that may be in place due to weather conditions, such as high winds or prolonged dry periods.
"Residents and visitors to New Jersey should not become complacent of wildfire risk just because the state received substantial rainfall in March and early April," said Environmental Protection Commissioner Shawn M. LaTourette. "In a changing climate, we are increasingly seeing dry conditions between heavy rainfalls, in what we have come to know as ‘flash droughts.’ Despite the recent rain, wildfire risk remains heightened at this time of year, and public awareness of how to stay safe is paramount.”
The Forest Fire Service is also committed to issuing timely social media updates to inform the public about developing and ongoing wildfires. Major wildfires, defined as at least 100 acres in size, and smaller fires that result in road closures, threaten structures, or otherwise impact developed properties, will be reported on the Forest Fire Service’s Facebook and X (formerly Twitter) accounts.
Climate change is making wildfire seasons longer. According to Climate Central, a research nonprofit, an analysis of weather conditions over the past 50 years found that the annual number of fire weather days has risen by 10 days in northern New Jersey and four days in southern New Jersey.
In 2023, New Jersey had its most active fire year in more than a decade with 1,193 wildfires burning 18,043 acres statewide. Fourteen of these fires were considered major wildfires, burning more than 100 acres each.
The Murphy Administration responded to the busy fire year by supporting the Forest Fire Service with a $3 million budget boost in FY23 to enhance protection of lives and property through investments in new equipment and staff.