Latest news with #RoadWildfire
Yahoo
29-04-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
The New Jersey fire signals a new era for the Northeast
The Jones Road Wildfire, which started Tuesday in the Pine Barrens of New Jersey, is on track to become the worst in state history. Fueled by gusty winds, low humidity, and dry undergrowth — conditions increasingly common in the region — the blaze has scorched more than 23 square miles, forced thousands to evacuate, and threatened nuclear waste at a power plant. As of Monday, firefighters had contained just 45 percent of the inferno. It follows an unprecedented wildfire season in the Northeast, which saw the Hudson Valley and Catskills burn last fall, and a record number of blazes in the five boroughs of New York City. It's a stark reminder that conflagrations are not confined to the West, said Aaron Weiskittel, director of the Center for Research on Sustainable Forests at the University of Maine. 'If you've got fuel, there's a potential for a fire,' he said. Though many people don't consider it a common hazard, 'there's no reason that what has happened in the western U.S. can't happen here.' Despite the growing threat, communities find themselves increasingly unprepared as more people move to vulnerable areas and the federal government slashes funding and eliminates jobs. Last week, internal emails obtained by Grist reveal that the Interior Department is planning further staffing cuts. Forest density, Weiskittel explained, is a major driver of mounting fire danger. For decades, aggressive suppression policies allowed vegetation to accumulate along the eastern seaboard, increasing the threat of more intense and unpredictable blazes. Historically, New England saw periodic, low-intensity burns — many set by Indigenous communities to manage the landscape and promote biodiversity. But for the last half-century, state and federal agencies stifled traditional fire patterns, creating a landscape all but destined to burn. This year's tinderbox conditions heightened the risk: According to the U.S. Drought Monitor, large swaths of New Jersey have been experiencing drought for nearly a year, with March and April bringing less than half their typical rainfall. The parched spring has prevented prescribed burns, said Michael R. Gallagher, a research ecologist with the U.S. Forest Service's Northern Research Station. 'The conditions are primed for catastrophic fire,' he said. Police have arrested a 19-year-old man they believe started the New Jersey fire when failed to properly extinguish a bonfire. But climate change exacerbated the factors that propelled the flames by providing ample fuel and dry conditions. As temperatures rise, predictions of wetter weather in the northeast have been coming true; however, it's arriving primarily as intense storms, interspersed with longer, drier periods and warmer temperatures. 'That's exactly what you need for fire,' said Lisa Doner, a paleoclimatologist at Plymouth State University. Despite enjoying a reasonable amount of snow this year, New Hampshire has seen little rain this spring, stressing the forests. Doner's research strives to understand what might happen as New England's trees fall out of equilibrium with local temperatures. She does this by looking back at fires during geologic eras when the climate warmed. She's analyzing sediments at sites around New Hampshire which provide continuous ecological records going back nearly 13,000 years. She and her colleagues have found a notable spike in charcoal dating to the peak of the last naturally warm phase, in the post-glacial Holocene era around 7,000 years ago. Preliminary data suggests that the 'last time things got really warm and dry, New England had widespread fires,' Doner said. Read Next Wildfires are coming to the Southeast. Can landowners mitigate the risk in time? Kate Morgan Because of how long trees live, forests tend to be resilient even when conditions move beyond species' optimal conditions — until a major disturbance like a fire. Doner is working with the U.S. Forest Service to study whether the region's forests will be able to return to their prior state after major blazes. 'We are entering into a regime of climate that is unprecedented in recent times, and we don't really know how our forests are going to respond,' Doner said. While climate change is one driver of fire risk, it's not the only one. An extensive outbreak of spruce budworm, an insect native to New England, is killing trees. 'I call them standing matchsticks,' Doner said. Meanwhile, invasive pests like the emerald ash borer and the hemlock woolly adelgid are creeping north as winters grow more mild. 'There's a multidimensional threat from a variety of pests,' Weiskittel said. Despite the growing danger, people continue to move into fire-prone areas known as the wildland-urban interface, where development meets forests. Of the 50 states, New Hampshire has the most people living in these zones, with many homes surrounded by dense tree cover. To make things worse, much of the region relies on small, volunteer fire departments. 'We just don't have that infrastructure, that knowledge,' said Weiskittel. Last year, Art Perryman, a New York State forest ranger director, told the state legislature that its firefighters were woefully unprepared. 'We do not currently have the resources and support that we need to adequately address that mission,' he testified. Federal cuts will only deepen this crisis, preventing the timely detection or response to fires once they start. The U.S. Interior Department plans to continue eliminating jobs. Last week, the agency told its roughly 70,000 employees to submit information that would help superiors evaluate their work, according to emails Grist received from one federal firefighter. Fire crews will be impacted even without cuts to their teams, this person said, because they rely on support from others for things like food, logistical support, and technical expertise. 'You can't just call people off the streets to fight fire,' Weiskittel said. 'It takes specialized equipment, and specialized operators to run them.' In states like California, education campaigns and financial incentives have made it easier for homeowners to learn and implement risk reduction strategies, like replacing shingled roofs and removing vegetation near structures. But many hard-learned lessons, from comprehensive evacuation plans to hazardous material protections, aren't yet common across the Northeast. Some experts are focusing on proactive solutions: Gallagher, for example, has been developing tools that help the region's forest managers reduce fire risk by identifying areas where fuels can be removed. By combining a type of laser called LiDAR with new fire behavior simulation tools, he and others are making it easier to map vegetation structure at finer scales and simulate how fires might behave. In practice, this could help target prescribed burns and make setting them safer and easier, even for people with less fire experience. 'Risk isn't just about weather and fuels, but about the vulnerability of a population,' he says. But that vulnerability, experts noted, is shaped as much by policy choices as by environmental or technical considerations. 'It's more a societal issue than a biological issue,' Weiskittel said. Cutting grants because they use the word 'climate' certainly won't help, he adds, as federal budget cuts reduce towns' ability to respond to unusual or unexpected circumstances. 'We know how to manage forests to increase productivity and improve resilience. It just costs money to implement.' This story was originally published by Grist with the headline The New Jersey fire signals a new era for the Northeast on Apr 29, 2025.
CBS News
28-04-2025
- CBS News
Jones Road Wildfire in Ocean County, N.J. still burning despite weekend rainfall
The Jones Road Wildfire in Ocean County, New Jersey is still burning, despite hopes the weekend rain might help bring it fully under control. The New Jersey Forest Fire Service is expected to share its next update at noon Monday about the conditions and containment efforts. At last update Sunday afternoon, the state forest fire service said the fire was 65% contained after scorching 15,300 acres. "Precipitation received yesterday afternoon over the northern portion of the fire varied in amounts," New Jersey Forest Fire Service posted on social media, adding zero inches to a trace of rainfall fell over the southern portion of the fire. Jones Road Wildfire arson suspect in court this week The wildfire broke out last Tuesday morning, forcing approximately 5,000 residents to leave their homes while power was cut in Lacey and Ocean townships for the night. The evacuations have since been lifted and roads have reopened. State and county officials announced 19-year-old Joseph Kling was arrested on arson charges for allegedly starting a bonfire and then leaving before it was put out. He is due back in court on Tuesday. If convicted, he faces up to 10 years in prison. So far, no injuries have been reported, but one business was destroyed in an industrial area of Lacey. Meanwhile, residents have been dealing with smoky conditions, keeping their windows closed and trying to stay safe. New Jersey's Acting Gov. Tahesha Way said Friday that FEMA approved federal funding for the wildfire response and recovery efforts.
Yahoo
27-04-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
New Jersey wildfire: Strong winds complicate firefighters' efforts
Firefighters continue to battle a wildfire in New Jersey that has burned over 15,000 acres, with strong winds on Sunday complicating their efforts, officials said. The Jones Road Wildfire, located in Ocean County, has burned 15,300 acres and is only 65% contained as of Sunday, according to the New Jersey Forest Fire Service. The National Weather Service issued an "increased risk of rapid fire spread" for Sunday afternoon for portions of southern New Jersey. Minimum humidity values will be around 30% to 35%, combined with "northwest winds 15 to 20 mph with 30 to 40 mph gusts." Officials said these windy conditions are complicating the containment process for this wildfire, with the gusts causing already-burned trees to fall throughout the woods, creating serious hazards. "The NJ State Forest Fire Service is again requesting for folks to stay out of the woods that were affected," the Lacey Township Police Department said in a statement on Sunday. "It's a dangerous combination of fire and wind." Firefighter operations will continue for the "next several days" due to these powerful winds, officials said. MORE: New Jersey wildfire explodes to 13,250 acres, could be largest in nearly 20 years The NWS said the wind should "diminish fairly rapidly by early this evening." The New Jersey State Forest Service is urging the public to avoid fire-affected wooded areas, warning of dangerous conditions. The NWS also said outdoor burning is "strongly discouraged" during this time. Trace amounts of rain fell over the southern portion of the fire on Saturday, and precipitation that "varied in amount" hit the northern section of the flames. Crews are "currently mopping up hotspots and patrolling the fire perimeter," the forest fire service said. So far, one commercial building and multiple outbuildings and vehicles were destroyed by flames, with a complete damage assessment underway, officials said. Officials said they will provide more updates on the fire's containment on Monday afternoon. The Jones Road Wildfire was first spotted at approximately 9:45 a.m. on April 22 in the Greenwood Wildlife Management area in Waretown, New Jersey, officials said. A 19-year-old man, Joseph Kling of Waretown, was arrested on suspicion of starting the fire and charged with second-degree aggravated arson for allegedly purposely destroying a forest; and third-degree arson for allegedly recklessly endangering buildings or structures, New Jersey officials announced on Thursday. MORE: Teen charged with allegedly starting massive New Jersey wildfire Kling was arrested after investigators determined the fire to be "incendiary by an improperly extinguished bonfire," officials said. The origin of the fire, according to investigators, is near the Waretown address the Kling listed as his home. During his first court appearance on Thursday afternoon, Kling did not enter a plea to the charges. A detention hearing is scheduled for Tuesday. -ABC News' Jason Volack and Bill Hutchinson contributed to this report. New Jersey wildfire: Strong winds complicate firefighters' efforts originally appeared on
NDTV
24-04-2025
- Climate
- NDTV
New Jersey Wildfire Burns 11,500 Acres, Could Be State's Largest In 20 Years
New Jersey, US: A sprawling wildfire burning in New Jersey's Pinelands near Atlantic Ocean beach towns could become the largest in the state in 20 years, having already consumed some 11,500 acres, officials said on Wednesday. The Jones Road Wildfire had spread to 11,500 acres in less than 24 hours as of 10 a.m. on Wednesday and was 30 per cent contained, the New Jersey Fire Service said in a post on X. It was no longer threatening populated areas. WILDFIRE UPDATE: Jones Road Wildfire - Ocean & Lacey Townships, Ocean County New Jersey Forest Fire Service continues to make progress containing a wildfire burning in Ocean & Lacey Townships, Ocean County. SIZE & CONTAINMENT 🔥 13,250 acres 🔥 50% contained — New Jersey Forest Fire Service (@njdepforestfire) April 23, 2025 The blaze could become the largest in New Jersey in 20 years, said Shawn LaTourette, the state's commissioner of environmental protection, at a press conference. A fire in 2005 in the same area consumed 17,000 acres. Lieutenant Governor Tahesha Way declared a state of emergency beginning at 7 a.m. on Wednesday; Governor Phil Murphy is on an overseas trip. "At this time, we have no loss of life and no homes have been harmed," Way said on X on Wednesday morning. So far in 2025, New Jersey has experienced nearly twice as many wildfires as usual, with 662 wildfires burning 16,572 acres. That compares with about 310 wildfires burning 315 acres last year, state Forest Fire Service Chief Bill Donnelly said at the briefing. On average, 1,500 wildfires damage or destroy 7,000 acres of the state's forests each year, the New Jersey Forest Fire Service said on its website. The blaze started on Tuesday in the Greenwood Forest Wildlife Management Area near Lacey, Ocean and Barnegat townships in Ocean County, about halfway between Asbury Park and Atlantic City. The area, with a combined population of about 64,000 residents, is about 15 miles inland from the Atlantic Ocean shoreline. About 1,300 homes were forced to evacuate on Tuesday, but the evacuation orders were lifted by Wednesday morning. In addition, a stretch of the Garden State Parkway, a major north-south highway, was closed on Tuesday but reopened Wednesday morning. The cause of the fire remains under investigation, and there is no timeline for full containment. The fire is expected to continue to burn for several days until rain comes on Friday or Saturday, New Jersey fire officials said at the briefing. About 25,000 residents remain without power, according to the Jersey Central Power & Light, which is owned by FirstEnergy. Embers from the fire sparked several small blazes near a de-commissioned nuclear power plant known as Oyster Creek, according to state officials. The plant, owned by Holtec International, shut down in 2018.
Int'l Business Times
24-04-2025
- Climate
- Int'l Business Times
NJ Wildfire Burns 13,500 Acres—State of Emergency Declared, Gov. Murphy Criticized For Absence
In photo: A house engulfed in flames amid U.S. wildfires in January. AFP NJ's environmental protection chief said the wildfire 'came perilously close to communities' Multiple outbuildings and vehicles have been destroyed in the raging fire Some 12 structures are still threatened by the wildfire, and some roads are still closed The wildfire in Ocean County, New Jersey that started Tuesday has now burned 13,500 acres, and is on track to becoming the Garden State's largest wildfire in nearly two decades. The Jones Road Wildfire is expanded dramatically Wednesday night and while it is now 50% contained, as per the New Jersey Forest Fire Service, it remains a threat to some populated areas. Ocean County Placed Under State of Emergency Officials said Wednesday that the blaze has the potential to become New Jersey's largest wildfire in nearly 20 years. Lt. Gov. Tahesha Way, who is overseeing state affairs while Gov. Phil Murphy is out of the country, on Wednesday declared a state of emergency in Ocean County amid the raging wildfire. She urged residents in affected areas to "listen to guidance from emergency management officials." I am declaring a State of Emergency in Ocean County due to the Jones Road Wildfire in the Greenwood Forest Wildfire Management Area near Lacey, Ocean, and Barnegat Townships. At this time, we have no loss of life and no homes have been harmed. — Lt Governor Tahesha Way (@LtGovWay) April 23, 2025 Shawn LaTourette, the state's Commissioner of Environmental Protection, on Wednesday posted an image that showed how the massive wildfire "came perilously close to communities" in Lacey Township. The Jones Road Wildfire came perilously close to communities like this one in Lacey Township, where the heart and heft of @NewJerseyDEP Forest Fire Service members and local partners saved hundreds of homes from destruction. — Shawn LaTourette (@shawnlatur) April 23, 2025 He extended gratitude to firefighters and others who "saved hundreds of homes from destruction" while battling to contain the blaze overnight. He also said it will likely take a couple of days before the Jones Road Wildfire is completely contained and extinguished. The Jones Road Wildfire will likely take days to fully contain and extinguish. We are not completely out of the woods. But thanks to the swift, tireless action of @njdepforestfire fighters & many partners, we are now fighting this fire in the woods and not in backyards. — Shawn LaTourette (@shawnlatur) April 23, 2025 A Dozen Structures Still Under Threat, Road Closures Updated According to the local forest fire service, 12 structures are still threatened by the wildfire and some 5,000 residents across the townships of Lacey and Ocean are now free from evacuation orders. On the other hand, one commercial building has been ravaged in the fire, and multiple outbuildings and vehicles have been destroyed. A full damage assessment report is still being prepared. WILDFIRE UPDATE: Jones Road Wildfire - Ocean & Lacey Townships, Ocean CountyNew Jersey Forest Fire Service continues to make progress containing a wildfire burning in Ocean & Lacey Townships, Ocean & CONTAINMENT🔥 13,250 acres 🔥 50% contained — New Jersey Forest Fire Service (@njdepforestfire) April 23, 2025 The following roads are closed as of late Wednesday: Rt. 532 (Wells Mills Road) between Rt. 72 and the Garden State Parkway Bryant Road between Wells Mills Road (Rt. 532) and Rt. 539 Jones Road between Rt. 532 and Bryant Road Murphy Under Fire for Absence in Critical Times As fire forest service members and volunteers continue to contain the widespread fire, some X users are questioning why Murphy isn't in the state during a crucial period. "Where is Gov. Murphy? In his mansion in Italy again," some users asked. Murphy is at his villa in Italy again huh? — brrrr chapo ♻️ (@cBeastwin) April 23, 2025 So where is the actual governor? — freedbird11 (@freedbird114927) April 24, 2025 Others targeted Way, saying it took her too long to declare the state of emergency. "You should be ashamed to have taken too long to do this. You knew there was an 8,500-acre fire yesterday with thousands out of power," said one user. You are horrible, way to late and no guidance — Rancidbones Jr. (@RancidbonesJr) April 24, 2025 Power provider JCP&L implemented a "forced" outage Tuesday evening, saying it was made upon the request of firefighting crews amid struggles to contain the fast-spreading wildfire. Some 25,000 residents were without power due to the said action. Some X users expressed frustration over the alleged slow action from the Murphy administration, with some pointing out how there was no action when New Jersey residents were scrambling out of their homes and trying to save their livestock. Murphy has yet to address questions about his whereabouts, but he has been reposting updates from the fire department. © Copyright IBTimes 2024. All rights reserved.
