A wildfire continues to burn through a forested area in northern New Jersey, just 40 miles from New York City.
Called the Microwave Wildfire, it started over the weekend in Rockaway Township, Morris County, and covered around 77 acres of dry woodland.
New Jersey is experiencing a long stretch of dry weather, which has made forests more likely to catch fire.
By Sunday morning, about 30% of the NJ wildfire had been controlled, with around 30 buildings at risk.
Jacobs Road, which runs through the Rockaway area, was closed to help keep people safe.
By Sunday evening, firefighters had contained about 70% of the fire, and only 13 buildings were still at risk.
WILDFIRE UPDATE: Microwave Wildfire, Rockaway Twp., Morris County
New Jersey Forest Fire Service crews have made substantial progress in containing a wildfire in the area of Jacobs Road in Rockaway Twp., Morris County.
SIZE & CONTAINMENT
🔥 77 acres
🔥 70% contained pic.twitter.com/h4ZEU7iVW9— New Jersey Forest Fire Service (@njdepforestfire) October 20, 2024
No evacuation orders were issued, meaning people were not told to leave their homes as firefighters worked to control the blaze.
Firefighters returned on Monday and, thankfully, had 85% of the fire contained by that evening.
By that point, only three buildings remained at risk.
The New Jersey Forest Fire Service has led the effort to put out the fire, with help from Morris County fire teams protecting buildings in the area.
A helicopter, able to drop 350 gallons of water at a time, made 15 water drops over the fire on Saturday, which greatly helped.
Local fire companies in Morris County have also played an important role, helping to protect homes and businesses nearby.
The dry weather and lack of rain have made fires more likely to start and spread in New Jersey.
Thus, the entire state is currently at high risk for fires.
Because of this dry spell, the state’s forests are more prone to fire from stray embers or other causes.
Last week, another fire burned across 30 acres in Medford Township, Burlington County, which shows just how dry and fire-prone the state has become.
The New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection has limited campfires and farm burns to reduce fire risks.
But as you can imagine, the lack of rain in the state for over three weeks has only worsened the problem.
Last Thursday, the state issued an official drought watch, asking people to save water.
Almost 87% of New Jersey is now labeled “abnormally dry,” with 26% facing moderate drought and 4% under severe drought.
And these dry conditions affect more than just the current wildfire area.
The New Jersey Forest Fire Service has labeled the fire danger level as “very high” across the state, calling for more awareness and careful action from residents and officials.
The National Weather Service does not forecast rain for Rockaway Township in the coming week, so the Murphy administration has asked people and businesses to conserve water.
The fire in Rockaway Township is still being investigated as officials try to find out what caused it.
Firefighters continue working toward fully containing the blaze and protecting nearby areas, including Farny State Park and Camp Winnebago.
While the fire has posed some risk, the community remains safe with no reported injuries.
New Jersey officials, local fire crews, and environmental agencies are working together to respond to this fire and the ongoing dry conditions.
It’s important for people to stay aware of fire restrictions and water-saving tips as New Jersey faces these fire and drought challenges.
