Officials warn New Jersey residents wildfire dangers are not over yet
TRENTON, N.J. -- Crews have contained the three major wildfires that erupted across New Jersey last week, but firefighters warn residents the danger is not over yet.
Right after officials gave a briefing Tuesday morning, a Red Flag warning went into effect, followed by another wildfire in Burlington County.
Officials said just before 8 p.m. Tuesday that the fire was 30% contained and had spread over 257 acres. Thirty structures were threatened.
WILDFIRE UPDATE: River Road Wildfire – Washington Twp., Burlington County@njdepforestfire is making progress to contain a wildfire burning off Route 542 and River Road in Washington Twp.
— New Jersey Forest Fire Service (@njdepforestfire) April 18, 2023
The fire is 257 acres in size and 30% contained. pic.twitter.com/fZIG0gqJkF
The Kanouse fire in West Milford is finally out, but anxiety lives on for residents like Luciano Spigarelli, knowing how much dry brush surrounds Echo Lake and his home.
"We pay attention because there's a lot of leaves on the ground. Every year, you got new leaves that can catch fire very easily and then spread," Spigarelli said.
Related stories:
- West Milford wildfire scorches hundreds of acres, largest in northern New Jersey since 2010
- Brush fire consumes parts of 800-acre park in Teaneck, N.J.
- 7-alarm fire in commercial area of Jersey City spreads to nearby brush, disrupting light rail service near turnpike
- Crews battling brush fire in Sayreville, New Jersey
No snow and warmer temperatures, combined with an invasive beetle preying on ash trees, have made forests across New Jersey tinderboxes this year.
So far, 517 wildfires have erupted, burning 7,608 acres, compared to 327 fires burning 471 acres last year at this time.
"We are doing really good work to keep most of these fires small, but we are running seven days a week, we're running 24 hours," said Greg McLaughlin, chief of the New Jersey Forest Fire Service.
Spring is the most dangerous season fire-wise in New Jersey.
During a virtual briefing Tuesday, fire officials explained how low humidity, high winds and trees that have not leafed-out create a dangerous combination.
"Those on-the-ground fuels are drying out quickly with the absence of shading, so the fire starts on the ground and can spread quickly," McLaughlin said.
Related stories:
- Rockland County officials, residents demand investigation into CSX after freight train ignited brush fires
- About 100 homes evacuated in Rockland County as crews battle large brush fire
- Homes evacuated as crews battle wildfire in Blooming Grove, New York
Investigators say 1% of wildfires in New Jersey are caused by lightning. The other 99% are man-made and therefore preventable.
Just last month in Hewitt, several homes were damaged when a resident lost control of an illegal backyard burn.
"He was burning scrap lumber. The conditions were dry, it was windy, so embers landed on the ground. There was a large amount of ground fuel," West Milford Fire Marshal Michael Moscatello said.
The fire service is doing its part, too, conducting prescribed burns and thinning forests to reduce density.
Officials say they still have not determined a cause for any of the three major fires that erupted in Passaic and Ocean counties last week.