Fire Risk 'Extreme' As NJ Drought Conditions Worsen

NEW JERSEY — A Red Flag Warning is in effect for part of New Jersey, as fire danger remains very high with ongoing dry weather and the chance of gusty winds.

The New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection has listed fire danger as "extreme" across the entire state Thursday, and Stage 3 burning restrictions are in effect.

Also, the latest update from the U.S. Drought Monitor shows that nine of the state's 21 counties are experiencing severe drought in some capacity, including all of Ocean County and much of Burlington, Atlantic, and Cumberland counties.

The National Weather Service issued the Red Flag Warning for counties in central and southern New Jersey until 6 p.m. Thursday evening, saying that any fires that break out "may quickly get out of control and become difficult to contain" in the current weather conditions.

This warning affects Middlesex, western Monmouth, Mercer, Salem, Gloucester, Camden, northwestern Burlington, Ocean, Cumberland, Atlantic, Cape May and southeastern Burlington counties.

The NWS also put out a special weather statement for the rest of the state, emphasizing the increased risk of flames spreading if any fires start.

"The combination of very dry conditions, low relative humidity, and gusty winds will result in favorable conditions for the rapid spread of fires," the NWS said.

There have been several wildfires that broke out this week, including one at Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst and another in Morris County — both of which have taken fire crews several days to fully contain.

Gov. Phil Murphy's administration also issued a statewide drought watch last Thursday, asking residents and businesses 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.

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.

The U.S. Drought Monitor is jointly produced by the National Drought Mitigation Center at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, the United States Department of Agriculture, and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.