Conditions ripe for fire weather will explode across New Jersey today as low humidity, gusty winds, and super-dry conditions make for fires to spread in the Garden State and surrounding states. Due to the extreme risk of fire, the National Weather Service has issued Red Flag Warnings.
According to the National Weather Service, “fire weather” is the use of meteorological parameters such as relative humidity, wind speed and direction, mixing heights, and soil moisture to determine whether conditions are favorable for fire growth and smoke dispersion.
In these extreme conditions, the National Weather Service and local fire departments are urging people to use caution when outside to reduce the risk of starting a fire in the first place.
- Refrain from ALL outdoor burning, including cooking
- Avoid the use of mechanized equipment outdoors, including the use of yardwork equipment
- Do not drive your vehicle in dry, tall grass. The underside of your vehicle is hot and can easily ignite grasses from your exhaust muffler
- Ensure trailer chains do not drag on the ground
- Be aware of wind direction and gusts that could spread fire rapidly
- Have an escape route to a clear area safe from rapid-fire spread
Red Flag Warnings are up for all of New Jersey, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Connecticut, Delaware, and portions of New York, Maryland, and Pennsylvania.
Fires are already burning in New Jersey. One fire that continues to burn is in Jackson Township in Ocean County while two fires started yesterday; one in Glassboro and the other in Evesham Township. Fires in Evesham prompted the evacuation of more than 100 homes yesterday, but evacuation orders have since been lifted there.
It has been exceptionally dry in the northeast, especially in New Jersey where records continue to fall. Much of the New Jersey Pine Barrens has been upgraded to Extreme Drought. Its the first time this forecast area has been in Extreme Drought since October 2002, 22 years ago.
Atlantic City set its record longest streak of consecutive days with no measurable precipitation yesterday. Through yesterday, 35 consecutive days have passed without any measurable precipitation, beating the old record of 34 days set in September of 1994. Records in Atlantic City go back to July of 1943.
Trenton, New Jersey also saw its record fall yesterday. The last day of measurable rainfall there occurred on September 28, meaning 39 days have passed without any precipitation. The old record of 38 days happened in May of 1903. Records in Trenton go back to September of 1865.
In addition to being very dry, it has also been very warm. A record high was set at the Atlantic City International Airport in Pomona, New Jersey yesterday afternoon. The high of 83 broke the old record of 81 from 2022, and also set a new “benchmark” temperature, as it is the latest date in the year on record that it been so warm.
