Fire Restrictions Across NJ, With Red Flag Warnings In Some Counties

NEW JERSEY — Dry, windy conditions have sparked "red flag warnings" in part of New Jersey, and there are fire restrictions in effect Wednesday to mitigate the spread of any blazes that begin.

The National Weather Service issued a Red Flag Warning for "critical fire weather conditions" in the Pinelands region of NJ, which includes Atlantic, northwestern Burlington, southeastern Burlington, Camden, Gloucester and Ocean counties. This lasts from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Wednesday.

A special weather statement is in effect for all other counties, as there is an elevated risk of wildfire spread according to the state Forest Fire Service.

Fire danger is "extreme" in northern New Jersey on Wednesday, according to the state Fire Danger Dashboard. Central New Jersey has a "very high" fire danger rating, and southern Jersey residents have a "high" fire danger.

There are also restrictions on building fires in wooded areas across the state.

Stage 2 fire restrictions mean all fires in wooded areas are prohibited "unless in an elevated prepared fireplace, elevated charcoal grill or stove using electricity or a liquid or gas fuel."

Stage 3 fire restrictions mean no charcoal fires are allowed, and fires in wooded areas are prohibited unless they are in an elevated stove using only propane, electricity, gas, or natural gas.

Fire restrictions are as follows, with agricultural burning also not allowed:

Northern NJ: Stage 2

• Bergen, Essex, Hudson, Morris, Passaic, Somerset, Sussex, Warren, Hopewell Twp. (Mercer), Union, Hunterdon, Middlesex (north of Raritan River).

Central NJ: Stage 3

• Monmouth, Ocean, Middlesex (south of the Raritan River), Mercer County except Hopewell Township.

Southern NJ: Stage 3

• Atlantic, Burlington, Camden, Cape May, Cumberland, Gloucester, Salem.