While Southern States of the U.S. have been inundated with hurricanes and strong downpours of rain, the Northern and Western States are facing historic droughts. The droughts have led to states like New Jersey issuing both water and conservation and fire prevention warnings. The dry conditions dating back to the middle of September have already created several wildfires throughout the tri-state area as well as in-states like California and Washington. The lack of rainfall had created an environments weakening for wildfires and emergency services have spent countless resources and man power fighting them including the loss for life for one firefighter.
On Oct. 26, 2024, a wildfire spread in Livingston, N.J., requiring 26 surrounding fire departments to join the battle to contain it. The State of N.J., under a high advisory for fire risk, has seen several of these fires break out throughout the state.
The fire was first reported as a small bushfire in a large marsh area behind the industrial and retail complexes along Route 10 and Eisenhower Parkway. Due to high winds and dry air, the fire rapidly spread 70 acres, requiring the Fire and Police departments to evacuate surrounding businesses and two major roadways. The Livingston Fire Department reached out to the country, state and other municipalities to assist. A total of 27 different Fire Departments ended up battling the blaze.
The fire has been 95 percent contained and expanded to 192 acres of land in total. According to Eric Weber, Assistant Divisional Fire Warden for N.J. Forest Fire Service (NJFFS), the fire isn’t expected to be fully extinguished until the next heavy rain.
During the peak of the blaze, the Fire Department had to pull back and perform a burnout operation. They used a controlled method of intentionally setting fires to reduce the amount of unburned fuel between a fire and a containment line. This backfire helps the first responders contain the blaze.
Heavy smoke still filled the air a week later and the smell of the fire could be smelt for miles. Livingston Mayor Al Anthony praised the hard work of the local, county and state fire officials and firefighters. There were no reported injuries or structural damages to surrounding buildings due to the first responders’ dedicated, intelligent and diligent work.
The high wildfire risk has been a major issue in New Jersey and surrounding states. A wildfire has broken out in Jennings Creek in West Milford, N.J.,consuming over 3,500 acres and only 30 percent contained. One of these fires resulted in the death of 18-year-old firefighter Dariel Vasquez who was killed by a falling tree while extinguishing the fire.
This year marks the driest fall in recorded history for New Jersey which has seen only 0.96 inches of rainfall since Sep. 1. The lack of rain mixed with high winds has created a perfect setting for wildfires in the tri-state area and residents are encouraged to refrain from creating outdoor fires or using fire pits. Discarding of cigarette butts is also a high-risk factor and has the potential to create wildfires in New Jersey. Until New Jersey sees a significant rainfall, the area will continue to see these wildfires break out.
With no real weather patterns to alleviate the droughts throughout the Eastern and Western states the Federal State and Local governments are warning residents to take caution with the water usage and care with fire. Already one 14 year old boy has been arrested and charged with starting a wildfire in Evesham Township that consumed 52 acres of land. As the historic drought continues that States will continue to issue Red Flag Warning for the entire region.
Photo credit: “Raging Wildfire” by Heights.18145 is licensed under (CC BY-NC 2.0)
