New Jersey’s officials have issued a warning about an intense wildfire season as the state continues to experience record-setting dry conditions. The state’s environmental authorities, speaking on Thursday, emphasized that the prolonged drought is setting the stage for a busier-than-usual wildfire season, and they urged residents to conserve water voluntarily before mandatory restrictions are put into place.
According to William Donnelly, the state fire warden, so far this year, firefighters have already battled 381 wildfires. While most of these fires are small, typically not spreading beyond five acres, three major fires have scorched more than 100 acres each. In total, this year’s fires have burned 1,242 acres, marking a staggering 266% increase compared to the same period last year.
As the state enters the peak wildfire season, the demand for water is expected to rise due to landscaping, gardening, and lawn care, which is typical as temperatures increase. With the state still under an official drought warning, officials have raised concerns about the increased risk of wildfires during this period.
State geologist Steven Domber shared that recent weather patterns have worsened conditions across New Jersey. January was recorded as the state’s third driest month on record, while October and the autumn months were the driest since record-keeping began in 1896.
Despite near-normal precipitation levels in February, it was not enough to restore water levels in reservoirs or groundwater. This has also delayed prescribed burns, which are controlled fires meant to reduce wildfire risk. Typically, the state fire service targets 25,000 acres for prescribed burns, but due to the ongoing drought, only 1,707 acres of grasslands and six acres of forest have been burned this year.
To address these challenges, Governor Phil Murphy has added $1 million to his state budget proposal to support the fire service, including additional staff and equipment. John Cecil, an assistant commissioner overseeing state parks, forests, and historic sites, noted that the state forest fire service now employs 70 full-time firefighters and has access to 1,400 part-time firefighters when needed.
The service has also received funding in the past to improve its equipment, such as adding bulldozers, upgrading communication tools, and expanding aviation support.
New Jersey’s wildfire risk is classified as “extreme” due to the dense, volatile vegetation in areas such as the Pinelands in South Jersey and the Highlands in North Jersey. This vegetation is often located close to homes and other developments, making the state particularly vulnerable to wildfires.
While officials acknowledged that New Jersey is unlikely to experience the same level of destruction as southern California did in January, when strong Santa Ana winds caused major fires in Los Angeles and Ventura counties, they are still concerned about the growing risk.
Regarding federal funding, Commissioner LaTourette expressed confidence that cuts to fire management services under the Trump administration would not significantly impact New Jersey. He explained that the state fire service relies mainly on state funding, rather than federal support. Additionally, LaTourette pointed out that Attorney General Matt Platkin has been working with other Democratic states to challenge some of the federal government’s cuts in court, ensuring that critical funds for fire management are not reduced.
LaTourette also reassured the public that any necessary federal funding would continue to flow, as mandated by Congress, and that if there were any disruptions, the state would take appropriate legal action to ensure the resources needed for fire management are secured.
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