Thick Smoke Sets Off Alarms As Wildfires Burn In South Jersey

SOUTH JERSEY — Residents near wildfires were advised to keep their windows closed as thick smoke spread Sunday throughout South Jersey.

Dozens of residents in and around Glassboro and Evesham — the sites of two of the region's biggest fires — awoke Sunday to their carbon monoxide detectors going off. The sensors are hypersensitive to smoke, officials said.

In both areas, residents were advised Sunday to stay indoors and keep their windows and doors closed.

Evesham Fire-Rescue advised people Sunday morning to turn their heat off.

"Please be patient, turn your HEAT OFF, and please use good sense only calling 911 if you do not feel well," the agency said at 6 a.m. Sunday. "THIS IS A MESSAGE WE SHARE WITH GREAT CAUTION IN THIS UNIQUE CIRCUMSTANCE. The morning sun will heat the air in the atmosphere, smoke will lift, and detectors should reset themselves. Be patient for a few hours and if you turn your heat back on, and your CO detector is still activated, call 911."

Meanwhile, an air quality alert is in effect until 9 p.m. Sunday for Burlington, Camden, Gloucester and Ocean Counties. Sensitive individuals — including the elderly, youth and people with heart of lung disease — should limit strenuous activities and time outdoors, according to the NJ Department of Environmental Protection.

Dry conditions from the worsening drought have fueled wildfires throughout the state. The New Jersey Forest Fire Service responded to 507 incidents in October, when the state received virtually no rain.

The wildfires in Evesham and Glassboro were contained this week. But smoke from the fires, along with various brush fires throughout the region, will are expected to impact local residents until there's significant rainfall.

Given the drought, it's unclear when that might happen. New Jersey had next to no precipitation in October, making it the state's driest month on record (since 1895).

Some rain is expected Sunday evening and overnight. But it's unlikely to make a significant dent in the drought, according to the National Weather Service's regional office in Mount Holly.

The state issued a drought watch Oct. 17, urging the public to voluntarily conserve water.

Part of South Jersey entered an "extreme drought," the U.S. Drought Monitor said Thursday in its weekly update. An extreme drought indicates that water flow has severely diminished and crop loss is widespread.

The drought is an impact of climate change, which in recent years has shown a trend of increasingly intense rainfall followed by periods of little to no rain, according to the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection.

Statewide, all outdoor fires continue to be prohibited unless contained in an elevated stove that uses only propane, natural gas or electricity. No wood or charcoal fires are allowed.

Here are the state's wildfire-prevention tips:

• Don't discard cigarettes, matches or smoking materials on the ground.
• Use indoor wood stoves and fireplaces carefully, both can emit embers that spark fires. Fully douse ashes with water before disposal.
• When towing a trailer, ensure you aren't dragging chains. If a trailer chain drags on the road, it can create sparks that fly into nearby vegetation, igniting a wildfire.
• Be mindful where you park or drive your vehicle. Hot exhaust systems can ignite dry vegetation if parked or driven over it.
• Be careful when cutting your grass or using other yard tools. Power tools like lawnmowers and chainsaws can throw off sparks that ignite dry grass or leaves.
• Keep matches and lighters away from children. Teach youth about fire safety.