Statewide Smoke Advisory Issued Amidst New Jersey Wildfires
A series of wildfires sweeping through New Jersey has led to the issuance of a statewide smoke advisory as of Friday. One particularly concerning blaze in the Palisades, directly across the Hudson River from Manhattan, has come alarmingly close to neighboring suburban areas. As of Friday afternoon, this 39-acre fire on the typically lush cliffs of the Palisades was reported to be only 30 percent contained, as stated by the New Jersey Forest Fire Service. Fortunately, there have been no reported injuries related to this incident.
This blaze is just one of many contributing to the growing number of brush fires that have ignited across New Jersey and Connecticut in recent weeks, a troubling trend exacerbated by an ongoing regional drought. Just this week, three significant fires in southern New Jersey have burned over 840 acres, necessitating evacuations and road closures in affected areas. “There’s no end in sight,” lamented Chief Bill Donnelly of the forest fire service, reflecting the dire situation.
Red flag warnings, issued by the National Weather Service to alert the public about hazardous fire conditions on gusty days with low humidity, have become increasingly prevalent. These warnings were renewed on Friday, stretching from Massachusetts all the way down to Delaware.
Among the most severe conditions in the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic regions are being experienced in New Jersey, where a significant portion of the state is grappling with severe drought or worse. The fire threat level has been classified as “extreme,” which is the highest rating given by the forest fire service.
- Since October 20, New Jersey has faced a staggering 306 wildfires, a dramatic increase compared to the mere 28 fires reported during the same timeframe last year.
- In Connecticut, nearly 150 wildfires have been reported in the past month alone, a stark contrast to just five incidents in 2023.
This past October has been recorded as the driest on record in New Jersey, while Connecticut is currently enduring its most severe dry spell since 1905. The combination of these conditions has created a perfect storm for wildfires, raising concerns for residents and officials alike.
