NJ wildfires surge — Act now or face restrictions!

🔥New Jersey's wildfire count this year is 267% higher than 2024

🔥Winter rain and snow did not end New Jersey's drought

🔥Mandatory restrictions could return if dry conditions continue

The New Jersey Forest Fire Service is ramping up for what has already been a busy wildfire season with nearly 400 wildfires already this year, including three major fires.

Environmental Protection Commissioner Shawn M. LaTourette says that despite several heavy rains and snowfalls over the winter, New Jersey is still under a drought warning entering peak wildfire season. People must continue to be vigilant about their water use and the disposal of smoking materials that could easily spark a wildfire.

"We have been experiencing dry conditions for several months now, and sometimes I get a bit concerned that when we have a deluge rain the way we did last week that folks may suffer so misinpressions about the extent of wildfire risk or water supply drought risk that we have," LaTourette said during a media briefing on Thursday.

The most recent major wildfire was the Scotland Run fire in Franklin Township (Gloucester County) that burned 191 acres. It was contained on Thursday morning.

ALSO READ: 3rd teen dies, mother driving kids suffers brain injury in crash

Public Awareness: Think about your actions

The NOAA's latest U.S. Drought Monitor for New Jersey shows northern and central New Jersey in a moderate drought, much of the state south of Route 195 in a severe drought with Atlantic, Cape May and Cumberland counties in extreme drought, according to NJ 101.5 Chief Meteorologist Dan Zarrow.

The dry conditions and increase in wildfires has limited the DEP's ability to conduct its late winter prescribed burns. Usually 20,000-25,000 acres are part of the program but so far approximately 1,700 acres have burned so far this year.

"Because we've been busy responding to wildfires and because of the conditions that have been previously mentioned, we've had to be really selective and careful about where we strategically plan these prescribed burns," Administrator of Forests & Natural Lands Greg McLaughlin said.

In light of the current conditions, the DEP has launched two public awareness programs. One is called NJ Wildfire SMART, which represents the five core pillars of wildfire prevention: Safety, Mitigation, Awareness, Response, Training). The other is the Every Drop Counts campaign to bring awareness to the importance of thinking about your water use.

"Very simply, if you don't need to use water, don't use it. When you do use it, use it efficiently and consider when you're thinking about spring projects that involves watering," said John Cecil, DEP’s Assistant Commissioner for State Parks, Forests & Historic Sites.

ALSO READ: ICE releases NJ restaurant owner after jailing her for 2 weeks

A return to restrictions?

Latourette warned that tf conditions do not improve the next step could be the declaration of a drought emergency, which carries mandatory restrictions. The last statewide drought emergency was declared in March 2002 and lifted in January 2003.

"I think the point here is that that we don't want to end up there and what we do this spring will determine whether we end up there by summer," LaTourette said.

Gov.Phil Murphy's proposed budget includes a $1 million increase in the Forest Fire Service budget to help with the added expense the increase in wildfires has brought. That's in addition to $3 million the FFS received in 2024.

Report a correction 👈 | 👉 Contact our newsroom