A red flag is issued for New Jersey as wildfires rage and conditions worsen due to extreme drought

by Junna Base November 8, 2024

The National Weather Service has issued an advisory for much of New Jersey as ongoing extreme drought combined with strong winds has pushed fire conditions from severe to critical.

The agency issued its statement Friday morning as the New Jersey Forest Fire Service was already battling at least three large wildfires in South Jersey, although crews were making progress.

” READ MORE: New Jersey’s wildfire department is battling multiple wildfires, one near a popular protected area, another near shooting ranges, as the state enters “extreme drought.”

“Possibly. Fires that develop can quickly get out of control and be difficult to contain,” the weather service said.

In October, state officials banned open fires, but forest fires continued to occur. Although the causes of most forest fires are still unknown, 99% of forest fires are caused by humans.

The Red Flag Warning is in effect for much of South Jersey, including Atlantic, Burlington, Camden, Cape May counties and farther north, until 6 p.m. The weather service cited relative humidity of just 25% and wind gusts of 20 to 30 miles per hour as key factors.

Although there have been hundreds of fires since October, crews continue to battle three active fires in southern New Jersey. The fire department had not yet released an update on the fires early Friday morning, but was expected to do so late morning.

The active fires all under investigation are:

A fire broke out Thursday afternoon at the Glassboro Wildlife Management Area near Carpenter Avenue in Gloucester County. Synchronization took place on Thursday evening the Pheasant Run fire The area was reported to be 133 acres and 50% contained as of Friday morning. New Jersey Forest Fire Service crews set up a fire line and conducted backfires, meaning they selectively burned fuel such as dead branches and brush to block the fire’s path to slow its progress.
The fire on Thursday morning was reported by the fire department the Bethany Run Wildfireignited along 75 acres on the border of Evesham Township in Burlington County and Voorhees Township in Camden County and had grown to 360 acres and was 75% contained as of Friday morning. The fire broke out in a wooded area of Kettle Run Road in Evesham Township, near the popular Black Run Preserve and a residential area, and threatened 104 structures. A helicopter was used that could drop 350 gallons of water. Sycamore Avenue was closed, as was Kettle Run Road from Braddock Mill Road to Hopewell Road. Smoke from the fire could be seen from Philadelphia.
And a fire called Wednesday in the Pinelands near Colliers Mills Wildlife Management broke out the “shotgun fire” Since it started near a shooting range, it was initially 175 acres and then grew to 350 acres. The fire spread across the area of Stump Tavern Road in Jackson Township and was 60% contained as of Thursday evening. Six buildings were threatened and evacuated before people were allowed back in on Wednesday evening. However, Stump Tavern Road remained closed from Route 571 to Route 528 as of Thursday evening.

This is a developing story and will be updated.

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