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New Jersey is grappling with a series of wildfires as the state endures a prolonged drought. The New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) has imposed major restrictions on outdoor burning to mitigate the risk of serious wildfires. The restrictions, which apply to all 21 counties in the state, prohibit all fires unless they are contained in an elevated stove using only propane, natural gas, or electricity. Wood or charcoal fires are not allowed, and the use of kerosene or gas torches of any kind is prohibited while the restrictions are in place. The fire ban applies to all public lands and private properties throughout the state.
The fall fire season in New Jersey typically runs from mid-October through mid-November, but officials say it started earlier than usual this year due to long stretches of warm and extremely dry weather. "We've had a rash of fires," said Bill Donnelly, chief of the New Jersey Forest Fire Service, during a press briefing. The state has not seen significant rainfall in three weeks, exacerbating the dry conditions.
The DEP has also issued a statewide Drought Watch, urging residents and businesses to voluntarily conserve water as persistent dry and warmer-than-average conditions continue to stress the state's water supplies. If conditions do not improve, the declaration of a Drought Warning or a Drought Emergency with mandatory water use restrictions may become necessary.
The Forest Fire Service is closely monitoring the situation, with observers in fire towers across the state vigilantly watching for any signs of wildfires. The service has also contracted additional aerial resources capable of dropping 600 gallons of water at a time to stage in the event of a wildfire.
Since the start of the year, New Jersey has experienced 934 wildfires which have burned 6,715.5 acres across the state. Smoke conditions can be observed throughout the state in areas that have experienced recent wildfires. Smoke is expected to remain present until significant rain falls over a fire area.