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

Vaseline November 9, 2024

The National Weather Service has issued a red flag warning for the Philadelphia region and most of New Jersey as continued extreme drought, combined with high winds and lack of moisture, has pushed fire conditions from poor to critical.

The weather service issued its statement Friday as the New Jersey Forest Fire Service was already battling at least three major wildfires in South Jersey, though crews were making progress. The red flag warning included all or parts of Delaware, Philadelphia, Chester, Montgomery and Bucks counties until 6 p.m., when it expired. The agency warned against lighting outdoor fires, which could escape and spread quickly.

A red flag warning means that weather conditions have combined to increase the danger of wildfires.

» READ MORE: NJ Forest Fire department battles multiple wildfires, one near popular preserve, another near shooting range as state enters ‘extreme drought’

“Any fire that develops can quickly grow out of control and be difficult to contain,” the weather service said.

Officials in New Jersey banned open fires in October, but wildfires continue to break out. Although the causes of most have not yet been determined, 99% of forest fires are caused by humans.

The red flag warning was in effect until 6 p.m. for much of South Jersey, including Atlantic, Burlington, Camden, Cape May and counties further north. The weather service cited relative humidity as low as 25% and gusty winds. from 20 to 30 mph as a key factor. But the weather service warned Saturday of an increased risk of fire due to the possibility of more gusty winds.

Although there have been hundreds of fires since October, crews continue to battle three active fires in southern New Jersey. Officials say residents may smell or see smoke for several days.

Some relief is possible: Rain is forecast for Sunday night, with a quarter to half an inch possible. While that could provide enough moisture to extinguish fires, it is unlikely to refill drained waterways. Some provinces have experienced rainfall deficits of 10 inches in the past 90 days.

The active fires, all of which are under investigation, are:

A fire broke out Thursday afternoon at the Glassboro Wildlife Management Area near Carpenter Avenue in Gloucester County. Thursday night, which is dubbed the Pheasant Run Fire As of Friday morning, the area reportedly covered 133 hectares and was 50% contained. New Jersey Forest Fire Service crews built a fire line and conducted pushback, meaning they strategically burned fuel such as dead branches and brush in the fire’s path to slow its progress.
Thursday morning’s fire, which the fire brigade called 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 90% contained as of 6:30 p.m. The fire broke out along a wooded area of Kettle Run Road in Evesham Township near the popular Black Run Preserve and a residential area, threatening 104 buildings. A helicopter was deployed that could drop 350 liters 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 that broke out Wednesday in the Pinelands near the Colliers Mills Wildlife Management area was named the ‘Shotgun fire’, because it started near a shooting range, it was initially 175 hectares in size and grew to 350 hectares. The fire raged along the area of Stump Tavern Road in Jackson Township and was 80% contained as of Friday morning. 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.