What to Know
- A massive wildfire that has consumed thousands of acres in New Jersey is expected to grow, though the expectation is it will spread in an unpopulated area, according to fire officials; it's 50% contained
- The fire in the southern part of New Jersey has grown to more than 20 square miles and could continue to burn for days, officials said. No one has been injured so far in the blaze, but air quality was suffering in New Jersey and smoke was expected to impact Long Island and NYC
- In New York, dry conditions across the state are resulting in a “high” fire danger rating in several regions including New York City, Long Island, the Hudson Valley, Capital Region, and portions of the North Country, the state air quality advisory said
A fast-moving wildfire engulfing part of New Jersey’s Pine Barrens was expected to grow Thursday, with smoke affecting the air quality in the New York City area before rain arrives this week, authorities said.
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WATCH HEREHigher-than-normal pollution levels were expected Thursday in New York City, Rockland and Westchester counties, and in Long Island's Nassau and Suffolk counties, the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation advised Wednesday. Air quality alerts are in effect. Check the latest weather alerts here.
It said “going indoors may reduce exposure” to problems such as eye, nose and throat irritation, coughing, sneezing and shortness of breath.
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SIGN UP The fire in the southern part of New Jersey has grown to more than 20 square miles and could continue to burn for days, officials said. No one has been injured so far in the blaze, and 5,000 residents were told to leave but have been permitted to return home. A single commercial building and some vehicles were destroyed in the fire, while 12 structures remained threatened Wednesday evening.
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“This is still a very active fire,” said New Jersey's Department of Environmental Protection Commissioner Shawn LaTourette. “As we continue to get this under full control, the expectation is that the number of acres will grow and will grow in a place that is unpopulated.”
The Ocean County Sheriff's Office in New Jersey also cautioned early Thursday about air quality, saying “smoke will continue to permeate the area.” It said emergency personnel will be on site for the next few days.
In New York, dry conditions across the state are resulting in a “high” fire danger rating in several regions including New York City, Long Island, the Hudson Valley, Capital Region, and portions of the North Country, the state air quality advisory said. The rest of the state is at a moderate or low level of fire danger.
Officials said the fire is believed to be the second-worst in the last two decades, smaller only than a 2007 blaze that burned 26 square miles.
Acting New Jersey Gov. Tahesha Way declared a state of emergency Wednesday and officials said they’ve contained about 50% of the wildfire.
Video released by the state agency overseeing the fire service showed billowing white and black clouds of smoke, intense flames engulfing pines and firefighters dousing a charred structure.
The cause of the fire is still under investigation, authorities said.
Forest fires are a common occurrence in the Pine Barrens, a 1.1 million-acre state and federally protected reserve about the size of the Grand Canyon lying halfway between Philadelphia to the west and the Atlantic coast to the east. The region, with its quick-draining sandy soil, is in peak forest fire season. The trees are still developing leaves, humidity remains low and winds can kick up, drying out the forest floor.
The area had been under a severe drought until recently.
