New Jersey officials are urging residents to conserve water and stay alert as drought conditions worsen, increasing the risk of wildfires across the state.
Months of below-average rainfall have left forests dangerously dry and water supplies strained. Environmental Protection Commissioner Shawn LaTourette emphasized that without significant precipitation, conditions are likely to worsen heading into spring.
LaTourette urged everyone to reduce water use and take steps to prevent wildfires, especially as the state moves into a dry season.
The U.S. Drought Monitor reports that South Jersey is experiencing extreme drought, with nine of the last 10 months seeing less rainfall than usual. Winter precipitation was insufficient to make up the deficit.
Wildfires have surged this year, with the New Jersey Forest Fire Service responding to 356 fires that have burned over 1,200 acres—more than three times the number of wildfires seen during the same period last year. As peak wildfire season nears, fire officials are warning residents to take precautions such as properly discarding cigarettes, securing loose chains on vehicles, and using caution when operating wood stoves.
The prolonged dry conditions are also affecting water supplies. Some water providers have urged residents to limit water use, with concerns that reservoirs could drop to dangerously low levels in the coming months.
State geologist Steven Domber warned that if current trends continue, reservoir levels could become critically low by late summer. He also noted that an early, warm spring would increase plant water consumption, further reducing the water available to recharge aquifers and refill reservoirs.
If conditions do not improve, the state may declare a drought emergency, imposing mandatory water restrictions. New Jersey’s last statewide drought emergency was in 2002.
For information on wildfire prevention, visit NJ Wildfire SMART. Water conservation tips are available at Every Drop Counts.
The New Jersey Digest is a new jersey magazine that has chronicled daily life in the Garden State for over 10 years.