BERLIN, Conn. – Millions of residents in the Northeast are on edge as bone-dry conditions persist across the region, raising concerns among officials that new wildfires could spread quickly.

Crews have already been working to contain and extinguish wildfires in New Jersey and Connecticut, including the Hawthorne Fire that claimed the life of a firefighter on Tuesday.

The fire warnings that were in effect for the state of Connecticut have now expired, but new warnings have been posted in southern New Jersey and will remain in effect all day Thursday.

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Police in the town of Connecticut Meriden said 66-year-old Robert Sharkevich, a retired firefighter Hartfordwas killed when the Utility Task Vehicle (UTV) he was riding on rolled over on steep, rocky terrain.

Three other firefighters were injured.

“I am heartbroken by the news of the tragic loss of firefighter Sharkevich, who died while courageously and courageously responding to the Lamentation Mountain fire in Berlin,” said Governor Ned Lamont of Connecticut. said in a statement. “His selfless dedication to public service and the safety of his community and the surrounding towns is nothing short of heroic.”

Lamont flew the Connecticut flag at half-mast in Sharkevich’s honor.

Firefighters across the street Northeast have been busy putting out wildfires that broke out in Connecticut and New Jersey in recent days, as conditions in the region remain abnormally dry.

The FOX Forecast Center said dry brush is largely responsible for the spread of the fires. However, wind and low relative humidity also help fan the flames.

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FOX Weather Meteorologist Ari Sarsalari was at the Hawthorne Fire command center in Berlin, Connecticut, on Wednesday.

“It’s so dry. The grass feels like hay now and the ground is very crunchy. It hasn’t rained here for a long time,” he said. “It’s just a tinderbox.”

While Sarsalari the leaves fall on the drive was beautiful, it adds to the extreme firefighting as falling, dry leaves add new fuel to the ground.

A cold front Moving to the area overnight Thursday will not help firefighting efforts.

“Unfortunately, it will be a dry cold front,” Sarsalari said. “Even if we get some rain, it’s so dry here in the lower levels realm that even if there is something there, it would just evaporate before it hits the ground.”

Multi-state response

Officials said Air Force personnel from the Connecticut National Guard and the State of Maine are also on scene to assist with top-down firefighting efforts, using water from Silver Lake on the fire.

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Connecticut utility Eversource said the wildfire is burning near transmission lines and the company has launched drones to monitor the equipment.

“This major wildfire is in close proximity to our transmission lines, which are the backbone of the regional power grid, and with winds expected to increase, we are not taking any chances,” said Eversource President of Electric Operations in Connecticut Steve. Sullivan.

Location of Connecticut wildfire proves difficult for first responders

According to the Berlin Volunteer Fire Department, the Hawthorne Fire broke out on the west side of Lamentation Mountain just before 6 p.m. ET on Monday. When the fire was reported, officials said resources from the City of Berlin and the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) Wildfire Division responded to the scene to begin extinguishing the fire.

However, firefighting operations were limited in the evening and at night due to the steep and rocky terrain in the area. Lamentation Mountain is more than 700 feet tall and the steep terrain contributed to the firefighter’s death. A crew was heading up the mountain in a utility vehicle when it struck the firefighter.

Officials said there was no damage to homes and resources were deployed to protect buildings near the fire. Additionally, no evacuations have been ordered in the area.

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The National Weather Service issued fire warnings for the entire state of Connecticut due to the fire threat, but they have now expired.

Now southern New Jersey is under a fire warning that will remain in effect all day Thursday.

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Wildfires are also breaking out in New Jersey

Further south, wildfires have also been reported along New Jersey’s heavily trafficked Interstate 95 corridor.

“I think the only thing on our side is that the wind is under control. That would be a game changer,” said FOX Weather Meteorologist Britta Merwin. “Think about how many people live up and down Corridor 95. It is the busiest stretch of our entire country in terms of population density.”

Video recorded in Rockaway Township, about 45 minutes from New York City, shows flames burning through the dry landscape as first responders work to extinguish the blaze.

According to the New Jersey Forest Fire Service, the Morris County Microwave Wildfire that started this weekend is about 77 acres in size and 85% contained. Fire officials said at least three buildings were threatened, but no evacuations were ordered.

The cause of that fire is under investigation.

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New Jersey officials issue Drought Watch

This graph shows the most recent drought conditions in the Northeast.

(FOX Weather)

New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy issued a Drought Watch on Thursday, urging residents and businesses to conserve water as dry conditions persist.

In a news release, officials said the state of New Jersey has experienced “significantly below average rainfall over the past three months, which has contributed to reduced stream, reservoir and groundwater levels.”

Officials said the Drought Watch declaration was aimed at raising public awareness of the ongoing drought situation.

“While water conservation is always important, it becomes critical during extended dry spells such as New Jersey experienced through most of the summer and early fall,” Environmental Protection Commissioner Shawn M. LaTourette said in the statement. “Voluntary water conservation now can help prevent more serious and restrictive measures in the future.”