Wildfires continue to burn at Joint Base in Rockaway Township

🔥Wildfires burn in Morris County and Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst

🔥Dry brush and low humidity are causing a smoky smell

🔥The DEP implemented strict fire restrictions

Two wildfires continue to burn at opposite ends of the state as dry, summer conditions continue to create dangerous conditions and strict fire restrictions that the state must put in place.

In South Jersey, firefighters from Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst are working to contain a wildfire that has burned for three days on their range. Crews use combustion strategies to prevent the fire from spreading. Smoke is limiting visibility in some areas, according to the base.

Dry brush and low humidity are causing a smoky smell in the surrounding areas of Burlington and Ocean County, according to 101.5 New Jersey Chief Meteorologist Dan Zarrow.

“Given the lack of wind right now, wildfire smoke can’t travel very far or very fast. So it just ‘sticks’ and stays close to the ground. Those particularly sensitive to smoke or particulate matter fines may want to stay indoors if the smell of smoke becomes overwhelming,” Zarrow said.

As of Tuesday morning, the Joint Base did not disclose how many acres had burned or what percentage of the fire had been contained.

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Fire restrictions established by the DEP

In North Jersey, the Microwave Wildfire along Jacobs Road in Rockaway Township has burned 77 acres and is 85 percent contained as of 8 p.m. Monday, according to the Wildfire Service of NJ.

Three structures are still threatened and Jacobs Road is closed.

The state DEP has implemented its strictest Stage 3 fire restrictions, which prohibit all fires in forested areas statewide. Charcoal fires, including barbecues, are also prohibited.

The exception is fires in an elevated stove using propane, propane, natural gas, gas or electricity

The DEP issued a statewide drought watch Thursday for the first time since 2022. The main point of the statement is to raise public awareness of the state’s less-than-ideal water supply and encourage the public to practice voluntary water. conservation measures.

The US Drought Monitor shows that about 60% of New Jersey is in at least the “moderate drought” stage. Twelve percent of the state is in D2 (severe drought) level. That covers parts of six counties, including large parts of Atlantic, Burlington and Ocean counties.

Previous reports by Dino Flammia were used in this report

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