At least six wildfires are actively burning across New Jersey as gusty winds, dry brush and low humidity provide fueling conditions for fire activity.
New York City, Connecticut, Long Island, the Hudson Valley and parts of New Jersey remain under a red flag warning through Saturday at 6 p.m.
Air quality in much of northern New Jersey is now considered "moderate" but in parts of Hudson and Bergen counties, it's fallen to "unhealthy for sensitive groups," according to the EPA.
The newest wildfires in New Jersey are the "Cannonball 3 Wildfire" burning in Pompton Lakes and the "Jennings Creek Wildfire" in West Milford -- both are in Passaic County.
The Pompton Lakes fire is 164 acres and 50% contained as of Saturday afternoon, according to the New Jersey Forest Fire Service. That fire was threatening 55 structures and had closed a lane of Interstate 287. No one has been evacuated.
The West Milford fire is much bigger at 1,800 and is zero-percent contained. At least 10 structures were being threatened, including two that are residential, according to NJFFS. The forest service has dispatched a helicopter to assist dumping water on the wildfire.
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The cause of the fire is under investigation and fire officials expect to release more information Saturday afternoon.
Local
NEW INCIDENT - WILDFIRE ALERT: Jennings Creek Wildfire - West Milford, Passaic County@NJDEPForestFire is on scene of a wildfire burning in the area of Greenwood Lake Turnpike and East Shore Rd in West Milford, Passaic County. The fire is also burning in Orange County, New York. pic.twitter.com/fBo98MFVPh
— New Jersey Forest Fire Service (@njdepforestfire) November 9, 2024
Where are fires currently burning in New Jersey?
As of Saturday morning, these are some of the areas with active wildfires:
- Englewood Cliffs, Bergen County
- Pompton Lakes, Passaic County
- West Milford, Passaic County
- Jackson Township, Ocean County
- Evesham and Voorhees townships, Burlington and Camden counties
- Glassboro, Gloucester County
The National Weather Service said relative humidity is as low as 21 percent and any fire that develops could catch and spread quickly.
Smoke advisory for NJ
Fire officials said New Jersey residents can expect smoke in the air for at least several days.
Residents should use caution when outdoors and limit outdoor exercise in smoky areas due to diminishing air quality.
SMOKEADVISORY: NJ residents can expect smoke conditions stemming from several large wildfires burning throughout the state to last for several days.
— New Jersey Forest Fire Service (@njdepforestfire) November 8, 2024
The smoke conditions are due to the extremely dry conditions which has allowed the fires to burn down into the duff layer of soil. pic.twitter.com/f5Khu0fnvI
