UPDATE: North Jersey Wakes Up to Smoky Odor Tuesday

MORRIS COUNTY, NJ — Scores of North Jersey residents reported smelling a burning, smoky odor on Tuesday morning, authorities say.

Affected towns reportedly include Livingston, Caldwell, Madison, Parsippany, Roseland, West Orange, Towaco and Fairfield.

"There are two major wildfires burning in areas of Harriman State Park to our north," Madison police said in a Nixle update. "In total, they estimate around 750-800 acres of forest are involved. Winds from the north and northeast today will bring noticeable smoke into the northern New Jersey area throughout the day. While we are 99 percent certain this Harriman smoke will impact the area, please continue to report any visible signs of smoke or odors of smoke to your local authorities. You should not assume that the smoke is from New York State. The New Jersey Forest Fire Service is actively monitoring these developments."

The smell has also been reported in parts of Somerset and Union counties including Watchung, North Plainfield, Scotch Plains and Fanwood.

“We have gotten several reports of a burning odor around town,” the Livingston Police Department stated on Facebook around 9 a.m. “We are aware of it and have not located anything burning. It may be from
another town and due to the weather is just traveling.”

A short while after the Livingston police message, the Parsippany Police Department posted its own statement about the smell.

determine any source within the township. We believe the source is coming from two brush fires burning to our north, one at Wawayanda State Park (N.J.) and one at Harriman State Park (N.Y.). Due to the wind
direction and the low cloud ceiling it is pushing the odor in our direction.”

Response to the Parsippany police post included:

• “The smell is throughout all of Northern NJ... Smell is strong in Towaco.”
• “The smell is strong in Fairfield too.”
• “The smell is coming into our 4th floor office building. Hope everyone is okay.”
• “It's very strong in Powder Mill too.”

West Essex Now reported around 9 a.m. that a large brush fire in West Milford was blowing toward the West Essex area.

“All towns are reporting the smell of smoke and haze in the air,” the report stated. “Fire departments are checking out all possible locations, but at this time there is nothing in West Essex causing
smoke.”

Eric Kiefer contributed to this article.

This is a developing story. Patch will update this article if more information becomes available.

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