New Jersey is grappling with fires amid unprecedented drought conditions

New Jersey Faces Unprecedented Drought Amid Worsening Climate Crisis

New Jersey is grappling with unprecedented drought conditions that have made September and October 2024 the driest consecutive months in recorded history, raising concerns about the state’s water resources and wildfire risks.

DEP Commissioner Shawn M. LaTourette today announced the State is declaring a Drought Warning and gave an update on the significant increase in wildfires over last year.

As New Jersey enters the next stage in severity of water-storage conditions, officials strongly encouraged the public to reduce water use but failed to set mandatory curtailments.

Firefighters across New Jersey are battling a number of wildfires during a record-breaking dry spell that is affecting the entire Northeast.

Since early October, the New Jersey Forest Fire Service has responded to 537 wildfires, a more than 1,300% increase in wildfires over the same period last year.

The New Jersey Office of Emergency Management has deployed the State’s All-Hazards Incident Management Team to supplement operations.

The Jennings Creek wildfire, burning along New Jersey’s border with New York, claimed the life of New York State parks system employee Dariel Vasquez as he fought the fire on Saturday.

With rainfall levels for the previous two months below an inch on average, reservoirs are drying up, fire danger is rising, and environmental officials are expressing fears about the potential long-term impacts on both natural and urban landscapes.

According to data from the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP), reservoir levels, which started the year above average due to unusually high rainfall in January, March, and August, are now falling below seasonal norms.

As of October 28, all major reservoir systems were still more than 50% full, but the sharp drop due to the ongoing dry spell is setting off alarm bells.

Historically, rainfall during September and October has averaged above three inches, and over the past three decades, that average has climbed above four inches.

State climatologist David Robinson said that October’s virtually nonexistent rainfall broke a 129-year record, with most parts of New Jersey receiving only trace amounts.

Statewide rainfall in October is estimated to have reached only “0.01 inches, perhaps 0.02 inches,” Robinson said, while many areas went without any measurable precipitation.

This marks a stark contrast to October records in cities like Paterson, which saw nearly 17 inches of rain in 2005. This October, however, Paterson received no rain, shattering the city’s previous record low set in 1924, when only a quarter of an inch was recorded.

Climate experts attribute this drought to shifting weather patterns that align with broader trends associated with the climate crisis.

Scientists predict that as temperatures rise and weather becomes more volatile, states like New Jersey may experience more extreme droughts and heatwaves punctuated by heavy storms, creating cycles that stress water resources and disrupt ecosystems.

The Forest Fire Service, which monitors and responds to wildfire risk in the state, has noted that the entire state is currently rated at an “extreme fire danger” level.

Fire activity has already picked up. Significant wildfires broke out in Essex and Morris counties in October, prompting authorities to enact temporary restrictions on open fires across both public and private land.

State officials have restricted open flames to contained stoves powered by propane, natural gas, gas, or electricity, while banning wood and charcoal fires entirely.

“When conditions become this dry, the simplest things can start a wildfire,” said Bill Donnelly, Chief of the Forest Fire Service. “In my 30-year career with the Forest Fire Service, I can’t recall a time when we faced such a prolonged period of dry weather with no relief in sight.”

Beyond the immediate risks, the drought’s impacts on water supplies and ecosystems are also significant.

Declining reservoir levels raise concerns for both drinking water supplies and agricultural irrigation in the months ahead, as water reserves are critical for sustaining food production and meeting urban needs.

Reduced stream flow and drying vegetation have already stressed wildlife and increased the flammability of forests and open areas, potentially setting the stage for a dangerous fire season.

The situation underscores the broader and long-term challenges posed by climate change, which scientists say is leading to more frequent and severe weather patterns.

New Jersey is just one of many states experiencing these extremes, as temperature records, heavy rain events, and prolonged droughts are becoming increasingly common across the United States. The state’s current drought may signal what many experts predict will be a “new normal” of unpredictable and intensified climate events.

As New Jersey awaits potential rainfall, environmental officials and climatologists emphasize the importance of planning for resilience in infrastructure, water management, and emergency services, with hopes of mitigating the impacts of a rapidly changing climate on the state’s resources and communities.