Lands commissioner says 'don't be an idiot' over holiday weekend
"The Fourth of July is a fun time; let's not make it a dangerous one," Upthegrove said. "The bottom line is this: Don't be an idiot. Don't set the state on fire with your fireworks."
The warning comes ahead of a weekend that is among the busiest for fire crews in the state, and comes at a time when much of the state is already at a heightened risk of wildfire. According to Upthegrove, the fire season has already resulted in more than 600 wildfires in the state, with more than 400 on state-owned land.
"We're heading into the Fourth of July weekend, and as families prepare to barbecue and go camping and have fun together, this also often means fireworks," Upthegrove said Wednesday, noting that fireworks caused 270 fires across the state in 2024. "And so, as folks go into this weekend, let's have fun, but let's be safe with fireworks."
Recent wildland fire forecast maps from the National Interagency Coordination Center show that the state faces an "above-normal" threat for "significant wildland fire potential" through September.
According to the forecast, the increased threat is partially attributed to a lack of rain and a rapidly decreasing snowpack.
"Regional snowpack continued rapid melting at rates faster than average through May, given mild temperatures and no significant reinforcing precipitation," the outlook states. "Very few basins are holding snow cover at or above their end-of-May daily averages."
Under state law, fireworks are prohibited on all state-owned land, including state parks and land managed by the Department of Natural Resources. Fireworks are similarly prohibited on federal land, including national forests and national parks.
Upthegrove also advised those who are camping to ensure that their campfires are completely put out and that they safely park away from tall grass.
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Washington Post
43 minutes ago
- Washington Post
CWG Live updates: Seasonably warm and dry through the holiday weekend
Welcome to updated around-the-clock by Capital Weather Gang meteorologists. Happening now: A gentle decline in humidity through the sunny morning makes temperatures in the 70s to low 80s pleasant enough. A few clouds pop up in the afternoon, but rain chances are almost nil with highs in the mid-80s to lower 90s. What's next? Lots of sun and seasonably warm readings make for a bang-up holiday weekend. A cool front approaches from the north and a tropical moisture surge arrives from the south by late Monday and Tuesday to bring our next storm chances. Today's daily digit — 8/10: The humidity is relatively benign for the heart of summer, and we finally get a day with minimal shower threats. | 🤚 Your call? The digit is a somewhat subjective rating of the day's weather, on a 0-to-10 scale. Forecast in detail Today (Thursday): Sunshine is back in abundance while lower humidity should make highs in the mid-80s to low 90s tolerable for most. Breezes are minimal, but a few pop-up clouds offer occasional shade in the afternoon. Confidence: High Tonight: The evening is nearly calm, with readings slipping into the 70s around sunset. Overnight lows range through the 60s. Confidence: High Tomorrow (the Fourth): If anything, the humidity should be slightly lower (dew points in the low to mid-60s) than Thursday. Even with plenty of sun, highs hold in the 80s, which is a win at this time of year! Breezes are light. Confidence: High Tomorrow night: Clear skies, calm winds and temperatures mainly in the 70s make for great fireworks viewing. Lows end up in the 60s once again. Confidence: High A look ahead Outdoor activities are in the clear Saturday and Sunday with gentle breezes, highs in the 80s and lows in the mid-60s to low 70s. There is a slight uptick in humidity Sunday, but it's not as muggy as it could be at this time of year. Confidence: Medium-High A cool front starts to slide south out of the Great Lakes on Monday just as a surge of tropical moisture approaches from the south. This should push humidity back up to uncomfortable levels with highs in the mid-80s to lower 90s. Clouds should gradually increase, and a few showers and storms could develop in the late afternoon and evening. Confidence: Medium The front and the tropical moisture should collide on Tuesday with the likelihood of showers and storms increasing significantly. Even when not dodging rains, highs in the mid-80s to low 90s and relatively high humidity will make you want to stay in. Confidence: Low-Medium Today's daily digit — 8/10: The humidity is relatively benign for the heart of summer, and we finally get a day with minimal shower threats. | 🤚 Your call? The digit is a somewhat subjective rating of the day's weather, on a 0-to-10 scale. Forecast in detail Today (Thursday): Sunshine is back in abundance while lower humidity should make highs in the mid-80s to low 90s tolerable for most. Breezes are minimal, but a few pop-up clouds offer occasional shade in the afternoon. Confidence: High Tonight: The evening is nearly calm, with readings slipping into the 70s around sunset. Overnight lows range through the 60s. Confidence: High Tomorrow (the Fourth): If anything, the humidity should be slightly lower (dew points in the low to mid-60s) than Thursday. Even with plenty of sun, highs hold in the 80s, which is a win at this time of year! Breezes are light. Confidence: High Tomorrow night: Clear skies, calm winds and temperatures mainly in the 70s make for great fireworks viewing. Lows end up in the 60s once again. Confidence: High A look ahead Outdoor activities are in the clear Saturday and Sunday with gentle breezes, highs in the 80s and lows in the mid-60s to low 70s. There is a slight uptick in humidity Sunday, but it's not as muggy as it could be at this time of year. Confidence: Medium-High A cool front starts to slide south out of the Great Lakes on Monday just as a surge of tropical moisture approaches from the south. This should push humidity back up to uncomfortable levels with highs in the mid-80s to lower 90s. Clouds should gradually increase, and a few showers and storms could develop in the late afternoon and evening. Confidence: Medium The front and the tropical moisture should collide on Tuesday with the likelihood of showers and storms increasing significantly. Even when not dodging rains, highs in the mid-80s to low 90s and relatively high humidity will make you want to stay in. Confidence: Low-Medium
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Yahoo
Not looking for fireworks? Try these North Jersey concerts and sporting events, July 3-6
As we roll into Fourth of July weekend, check out our big list of Independence Day events for lots of fireworks, parades and celebrations. But the weekend doesn't have to be all about sky explosions and patriotic displays, so here are some concerts and sporting events in North Jersey. Music options include the Glen Rock Pops; a six-band ska show in Teaneck; tributes to Guns 'n' Roses, Black Sabbath and the Doors in Clifton; the Kootz in Little Falls; the Four Man Trio in Rockaway; and Captains of Leisure in Netcong. For sports action, check out the FIFA Club World Cup quarterfinal at MetLife and Fan Appreciation Night at the Meadowlands Racetrack. See below for the details and the weather forecast. Enjoy your holiday weekend! According to the National Weather Service: July 3: Sunny with a high of 91 and a slight chance of late afternoon/evening showers and thunderstorms. Mostly clear at night with a low in the mid-60s. July 4: Sunny and breezy with a high in the mid-80s. Mostly clear at night with a low in the mid-60s. July 5: Sunny with a high in the upper 80s. Partly cloudy at night with a low around 70. July 6: Mostly sunny with a high in the low 90s. Mostly clear at night with a low in the mid-70s. The Kootz will perform their self-described "rock 'n roll with fiber" as part of the Little Falls Summer Concert Series & Marketplace at Memorial Park on July 3, presented by the Little Falls Alliance for a Better Community. The collective of musicians features Glenn M. Taylor, Bob Cianci, Chris Roselle, Russ Crapella, Gary Evans, Jeff Guenther, Mike Guaragna, Rhonda Grindell, Pepe Hernandez, Sean Jenness and Ted Wyman. In case of rain, the event will be held at the Civic Center. Go: The Kootz at Memorial Park, Main Street and Wilmore Road (or Civic Center, 19 Warren St.). July 3. Marketplace starts 6 p.m.; concert at 7. 862-904-0442, info@ Bring your chairs and blankets and celebrate America's birthday through music on the lawn at Glen Rock Borough Hall on July 3. Music director Anthony LaGruth has designed a program for the whole family - complete with marches, patriotic songs and favorite tunes. The multigenerational orchestra consists of 50 members from diverse backgrounds throughout the area. Go: Glen Rock Pops Orchestra at Borough Hall, 1 Harding Plaza, Glen Rock. 7 p.m. July 3. Rain date is July 4. Part of the Netcong Recreation Summer Concert Series, the North Jersey-based Captains of Leisure will perform on Friday night at Direnzo Park. This eight-piece band whose members are based in North Jersey features layered three- and four-part harmonies over a three-piece charted horn section. Their repertoire consists primarily of songs by bands such as Chicago, Steely Dan, Earth, Wind & Fire, Blood Sweat and Tears, Tower of Power, Van Morrison, and a selection of Motown sounds. The band has performed hundreds of events over the past 20 years. Go: Captains of Leisure at Direnzo Park in Netcong. 6 to 8 p.m. July 4. Visit for alerts and cancellation information. Fans will have the opportunity to see soccer's stars in person at MetLife Stadium for the FIFA Club World Cup quarterfinal on July 5, with the semifinals on July 8 and July 9, and the champion to be crowned on July 13. Go: FIFA Club World Cup Quarterfinal at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford. 4 p.m. July 5; parking lots open at 11 a.m.; stadium gates open at 2. On July 5, fans can grab one-dollar hot dogs, pretzels, popcorn and soda; and two-dollar draft beer at the Café on the Victory Terrace and in the Backyard. Guests are encouraged to stay after the races for the free fireworks display. On the track, the top 4-year-olds compete in the Graduate Finals. Go: Fan Appreciation Night at the Meadowlands Racetrack in East Rutherford. 6 to 10 p.m. July 5; special post time at 7. This Medicated Mess Inc. production at Debonair Music Hall on July 5 will feature Backyard Superheroes, The Schwam, Disposable, Joker's Republic, Take It or Leave It and O-Rama. Backyard Superheroes is a nine-piece ska-punk band from Central Jersey. The Schwam is a Bergen County rock/ska/punk band. New Jersey band Disposable's description of its music is, "If the godfather of soul himself and the Ramones found a kid from the islands and then adopted it, this is what it would probably sound like." Joker's Republic is a ska-punk band from North Jersey. Take It or Leave It is a New York/New Jersey punk rock band. O-Rama is a Hudson Valley-based ska punk band. Go: A Show for Ska-Licia at Debonair Music Hall, 1409 Queen Anne Road, Teaneck. 7 p.m. July 5; doors open at 6. $15. New York/New Jersey-based Lies N' Illusions emulates the hard rock style of Guns N' Roses with renditions of their greatest hits, Axl Rose's stage presence and voice, and Slash's guitar solos. After Forever: A Tribute to the Music of Black Sabbath is made up of lifelong friends from North Jersey whose teenage years were spent living through the golden age of hard rock and metal. Love Her Madly: The Doors Reimagined is a duo of Laurie DeWinter on lead vocal and Charly Pip on guitar. The three bands will share the stage at Dingbatz on July 5. Go: Lies N' Illusions, After Forever and Love Her Madly at Dingbatz, 620 Van Houten Ave., Clifton. Doors open at 8 p.m. July 5. $15. The Rockaway Gazebo 2025 Summer Concert Series kicks off July 6 with Four Man Trio playing popular rock and roll with a blend of group harmony, rockabilly, '60s garage, Motown, blues, '70s rock and soul. The North Jersey group consists of Joe Cimo (guitar, vocals), who has been playing in local bands since 1965; John Clemente (vocals, percussion), who has been performing since 1984; Ron D'Erasmo (drums, percussion, vocals), who has been playing in the Tri-State Area for more than four decades; and John Prato (bass, guitar, vocals), who formed his first band in 1964. Go: Four Man Trio at the Rockaway Gazebo, Mt. Hope Road, Rockaway Township. 3 to 5 p.m. July 6. In case of rain, the concert will be held at Rockaway Townsquare Mall, lower level. The Recreation hotline, 973-983-2853, will be updated when there is a change. This article originally appeared on Not looking for fireworks? Try these concerts & sports this weekend
New York Times
an hour ago
- New York Times
Madre Fire Explodes to 35,000 Acres, Becoming California's Largest This Year
A wildfire in San Luis Obispo County exploded overnight to more than 35,000 acres, prompting evacuation orders, closing part of a highway and sending thick smoke billowing into neighboring counties. It is the biggest wildfire California has seen this year so far. The blaze, which started on Wednesday afternoon, is burning in a remote area in the mountains between the Central Coast and the Central Valley, in the Los Padres National Forest. It is near State Route 166, which connects the Central Coast to the southern San Joaquin Valley. A section of the highway has been closed, California's Department of Transportation said. About 190 residents were under evacuation orders early Thursday, according to a New York Times analysis of the evacuation zones and LandScan population data. Smoke from the fire was spreading over Santa Barbara and Ventura Counties, the National Weather Service said on social media. Santa Barbara County issued an air quality watch because of the smoke, urging residents to stay alert. Videos posted on social media by the U.S. Forest Service showed glowing red flames above the mountains and the sky thick with smoke. Significant resources had been deployed to the fire, including aircraft and bulldozers, the agency said.
