What to Know
- Firefighters in New Jersey are stretched even thinner as yet another wildfire burns in bone-dry conditions in the state.
- At least four wildfires were burning from the Philadelphia suburbs to the New York City suburbs.
- Fire conditions were hazardous Friday, with the National Weather Service issuing a red flag warning calling for gusty winds and low humidity that could help spread fires quickly.
Firefighters in New Jersey were stretched even thinner on Friday when another wildfire broke out in the state's bone-dry conditions.
At least four wildfires were burning in the state, stretching from the Philadelphia suburbs to the Pinelands in the central and western parts of the state to the New York City suburbs.
The latest fire broke out along the Palisades Interstate Parkway in Englewood Cliffs in Bergen County, across the Hudson River from New York. It was 30% contained, and no homes were threatened by it.
It was smaller than the three others burning in New Jersey, each of which had burned less than a square mile as of late Thursday.
So far in 2024, the NJ Forest Fire Service said it has responded to more than 1,200 fires that have burned at least 8,049 acres.
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Since Sunday, Nov. 3, crews have addressed at least 70 wildfires that have burned more than 937 acres.
“It seems like it’s been nonstop,” Bill Donnelly, the state forest fire warden and chief of the New Jersey Forest Fire Service, said Thursday. "This year's been crazy dry, October was the busiest month on record for the forest service."
Here is where things stand with wildfires in the bone-dry Garden State on Nov. 8, 2024
Crews getting closer to containing wildfire threatening homes in Burlington, Camden counties
The Bethany Run Wildfire continued to burn about 24 hours after it broke out along the border of Burlington and Camden counties in Evesham and Voorhees townships, the New Jersey Forest Fire Service said Friday morning.
However, progress had been made overnight as the fire was 75% contained as it burned about 360 acres -- or about half a mile, officials said.
As of 6:30 p.m. on Friday, the fire was 90% contained, officials said.
It threatened up to 104 buildings and closed sections of Sycamore Avenue and Kettle Run Road, officials said. Any residents of nearby homes were allowed back into their homes as of 6:30 p.m. on Nov. 7, 2024.
Firefighters could be seen dousing hot spots in the woods Friday morning.
Glassboro wildfire burns into second day
The Pheasant Run Wildfire continued to burn Friday in the Glassboro Wildlife Management Area in Gloucester County, the forest fire service said.
As of 6:30 p.m., the fire had consumed around 133 acres and was 90% contained, officials said on Nov. 8, 2024.
Luckily, no structures were threatened by the flames.
Wildfire continues to burn near Six Flags Great Adventure
The Shotgun Wildfire in Jackson Township, Ocean County, burned for a third day on Nov. 8, 2024.
"The New Jersey Forest Fire Service remains on scene of a wildfire burning in the Colliers Mills Wildlife Management Area in the area of Stump Tavern Road," the forest fire service wrote on Facebook.
Flames began several miles from Six Flags Great Adventure on Nov. 6, 2024. No buildings or structures were threatened, officials said.
As of Friday morning, the fire had burned about 350 acres and was 80% contained. A section of Stump Road remained closed.
Around 6:30 p.m. on Friday, firefighters managed to get the fire 90% contained.
Smoky air sticking around
The forest fire service warned resident to expect smoky conditions from the fire to linger for several days.
"The smoke conditions are due to the extremely dry conditions which has allowed the fires to burn down into the duff layer of soil," the fire service wrote on X.
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
Red flag warning for wildfires in New Jersey
Conditions were even more hazardous Friday than they were the day before, with the National Weather Service issuing a red flag warning calling for gusty winds and low humidity that could help spread fires quickly.
"Any fires that develop may quickly get out of control and become difficult to contain,' the weather service said.
HIGH Fire Danger Today! A Red Flag Warning is in effect today into this evening as very dry conditions and gusty winds are conducive for rapid fire spread. The conditions are extremely dry and please follow burn restrictions/bans. #pawx #njwx #dewx #mdwx pic.twitter.com/HXT3yaxPMM
— NWS Mount Holly (@NWS_MountHolly) November 8, 2024
New Jersey has not received measurable precipitation in over a month, the weather service said, setting a new record.
Some rain is forecast for Sunday into Monday, so stay tuned to see if that finally puts a damper on these wildfires.
The causes for all four wildfires remained under investigation Friday.
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