A wildfire erupted in Livingston over the weekend, covering 192 acres near Route 10 and Eisenhower Parkway. According to the New Jersey Forest Fire Service, 90% of the fire was contained by Sunday evening. Crews from the Forest Fire Service and the Livingston Fire Department have been working since Saturday to control the fire, which was fueled by dry conditions and a prolonged drought that has caused several weeks without rain in NJ.
The fire initially threatened nearly 50 structures, prompting evacuations at commercial properties along Mount Pleasant Avenue and Eisenhower Parkway. However, as of Sunday night, no structures remain threatened, and all previously closed roads have reopened, including Route 10 and Eisenhower Parkway.
Smoke is expected to linger until substantial rainfall, which is forecast later in the week. Residents have been advised to remain cautious and keep windows closed.
Firefighters will continue to patrol the area to ensure containment and address any hotspots. The cause of the fire is still under investigation.
It’s the latest case in what is shaping up to be a record-breaking year of wildfires in NJ. Read more here.
The New Jersey Digest is a new jersey magazine that has chronicled daily life in the Garden State for over 10 years.