Fireworks, Open Fire Banned In Basking Ridge Due To Dry Weather

BASKING RIDGE, NJ — Bernards Township fire officials have declared a ban on any open burns, campfires, fireworks, pyrotechnics, etc. due to the prolonged dry weather being experienced.

"We understand the frustration some residents may feel due to the upcoming holidays, however, the safety of all residents and property is important during this dry weather period. We thank you in advance for your cooperation during this time," said Bernards Township Police Department.

Fire danger remains "very high" across New Jersey as dry, summer-like conditions continue.

The U.S Drought Monitor shows that several New Jersey counties are experiencing severe drought conditions, including portions of Burlington, Camden, Ocean and Atlantic counties.

Much of North Jersey is considered "abnormally dry," while other communities in Central Jersey, South Jersey, and the Shore region are seeing moderate drought.

On Monday, the New Jersey Forest Fire Service implemented Stage 3 fire restrictions as the state deals with historically dry conditions.

Under the restrictions, charcoal fires are prohibited. All fires in wooded ares must be contained in an elevated stove, using only propane, natural gas, gas or electricity.

Gov. Phil Murphy's administration issued a statewide drought watch last Thursday, asking residents and business to reduce their water use. Low rainfall and warmer-than-average temperatures over the past few months have stressed the state's water supplies, officials said.

New Jersey has a three-stage advisory system for managing droughts:

1. Drought watch: The state focuses on public awareness and urges people to conserve water.
2. Drought warning: The state environmental commissioner urges the public to use water sparingly and can impose restrictions on water suppliers in the most-affected regions.
3. Drought emergency: The governor orders restrictions on water use, which mandates typically phased in as conditions deteriorate.

Local governments and water utilities can impose additional restrictions, even before a drought emergency, which was last declared statewide in 2002.

Last month was New Jersey's third-driest September since records commenced in 1895. There was virtually no rainfall in the first half of October, according to the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection.

Climate change has significantly impacted the state's water supplies, the NJDEP said. Recent years have shown a trend of increasingly intense rainfall events, followed by periods of little to no rain, according to environmental officials.

Patch's Michelle Rotuno-Johnson contributed to this report.

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