Fire Expands In Bergen County, Road Closed: NJ Forest Fire Service

BERGEN COUNTY, NJ — A blaze that spread along the Palisades Parkway in Englewood Cliffs on Friday morning has expanded to another 20 acres, the New Jersey Forest Fire Service said around 3 p.m., for a total of 39 acres.

They said the fire is still 30 percent contained.

Smoke from the fire could be seen from across the river in Manhattan.

They said there were no evacuations, and Henry Hudson Drive is closed.

The next update will be posted around 8:30 p.m. Friday, they said.

Earlier Reporting

State Forest Fire crews have responded to several other major wildfires this week as drought conditions worsen across the state. Friday's gusty winds and very low humidity mean that any outdoor fires can spread quickly and become difficult to control, the National Weather Service said.

There will be a risk of rapid fire spread from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday with the greatest danger during the afternoon, according to the NWS office in Mount Holly.

"With a lack of rain over the last month or so, very dry fuels are in place," NWS forecasters said.

Mandatory statewide Stage 3 fire restrictions remain in effect. All fires are banned unless they are contained in an elevated stove using only propane, natural gas or electricity. No wood or charcoal fires are allowed, and the use of kerosene or gas torches of any kind is prohibited, officials said.

The fire ban is in place on all public lands and private properties in all municipalities throughout the state, officials said.

Both Trenton International Airport and Atlantic City International Airport have gone without measurable rainfall for more than a month. On Thursday, both broke records for consecutive days without measurable rainfall.

The 34-day record in Atlantic City was set in 1995, and Trenton's record of 38 days without measurable rainfall had been set all the way back in 1865.

Michele Rotuno-Johnson contributed to this report.