Wildfires Burning In NJ As Threat Remains High

NEW JERSEY — Hot and dry conditions have combined to significantly increase the risk of dangerous wildfires in New Jersey, authorities said Thursday, as a Pine Barrens blaze continues to smolder and hundreds have been evacuated.

NJ Forest Fire Service crews say they have fully contained the massive wildfire in Ocean County that started Tuesday night and burned more than 3,800 acres in the Pinelands. Firefighters are monitoring another major blaze in Passaic County that broke out Wednesday near a rest stop and is still burning.

The National Weather Service on Thursday issued a Special Weather Statement, warning there is an elevated risk of wildfire spread throughout the day and into the evening.

The New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection's Fire Danger dashboard lists the risk as "very high" for the entire state, meaning there is an elevated risk of fire spread with how dry and windy it is.

Agriculture burning is forbidden, and a stage two campfire restriction is in place for all of New Jersey, the DEP said.

Specifically, the agency warned residents to use extreme caution with cigarettes, lighters, and machinery.

The National Weather Service notes that many areas in central and northern Jersey haven't seen much — or any — rain in the past 10 days.

"Any dry grasses, dead leaves, and other tree litter that ignite will have the potential to spread fire quickly," said meteorologists in the Mount Holly office.

In all of southeastern Pennsylvania, a red flag warning was issued Wednesday by the NWS, indicating "critical fire weather conditions."

"That (warning in Pennsylvania) does not mean NJ, MD, and DE are safe from the rapid spread of fires," the National Weather Service added. "It's warm, dry, and breezy out there today. Please be safe with any fire igniters."

Earlier this week, Jersey City firefighters battled a seven-alarm blaze which closed all lanes of the New Jersey Turnpike on Monday. A smaller fire broke out in Bergen County on Wednesday, as well.

Latest updates:

• Manchester Fire: 'Extremely Catastrophic' Situation Prevented As Crews Contain Blaze
• Passaic County Wildfire Contained, But Still Burning

Conditions are most dangerous for wildfires in March, April, and May, according to the DEP.

Hotter springs, shorter and warmer winters, and longer periods of drought are anticipated to worsen into the future due to climate change. These factors make parts of the region far more susceptible to wildfires than they once were. Experts believe that the risk of wildfires could double by the middle of the century.

"As the spring sun climbs higher in the sky, days become longer and warmer," the agency said. "The trees are bare during this time, allowing sunlight to reach the forest floor, warming the ground, and drying surface fuels. Coupled with strong and dry spring winds, this leads to a tremendous amount of combustible fuels."

Humidity will remain below 25 percent, with high temperatures approaching 90, in much of New Jersey on Thursday.