The U.S. National Weather Service said Friday that low humidity and gusty winds could lead to an “increased risk of rapid fire spread” across parts of New Jersey and Pennsylvania as the Ocean County wildfire continues to grow.
The minimum relative humidity for Friday afternoon is expected to be between 25 and 35% with high temperatures getting close to 80 degrees, forecasters said. Southerly winds should be between 10 and 15 mph with gusts near 20 mph.
“These conditions, along with the continued drying of fine fuels, could support the rapid spread of any fires that ignite, which could quickly become difficult to control,” the NWS warned.
The agency’s “special weather statement” is in effect for South Jersey and parts of Eastern Pennsylvania, including Philadelphia. The highest risk for wildfire spread is expected between 11 a.m. and 7 p.m.
Open-air burning is “strongly discouraged,” officials said, urging residents to fully extinguish or safely discard any potential fire hazards, including smoking materials like cigarette butts.
While no campfire restrictions are in effect for New Jersey, fire danger for the entire state is classified as “high,” according to the New Jersey Forest Fire Service. Agricultural burning is allowed, but caution is advised.
The NWS warning comes as the massive Jones Road wildfire has now burned more than 15,000 acres, officials said.
The fire has forced thousands of evacuations in Ocean County, N.J., led the state to declare a state of emergency and triggered an air quality health advisory for the New York City area.
In its last update, the fire service said the fire had grown to 15,250 acres with about 50% containment.
“Multiple outbuildings and vehicles” and at least one commercial building have been destroyed in the fire.
Evacuation orders for the approximately 5,000 residents evacuated in Lacey and Ocean townships have now been lifted.
On Thursday, state officials announced the arrest of a 19-year-old man on charges of aggravated arson and arson in connection with the fire, which may “end up being the largest wildfire in New Jersey in 20 years, according to New Jersey’s Commissioner of Environmental Protection, Shawn LaTourette.
Investigators believe Joseph Kling, of Ocean Township, “was the individual responsible for set wooden pallets on fire — and then leaving the area without the fire being fully extinguished.”
