NJ declares drought warning, as water shortages and fires pose a regional threat

New Jersey declared a drought warning on Wednesday to head off potential water shortages as the state and much of the Northeast continue to face a historic dry spell that’s triggered wildfires, smoky air, and rail disruptions across the region.

State officials also called on residents to reduce their water use through steps that include letting lawns go dormant, winterizing and deactivating irrigation systems, fixing leaky faucets and pipes, and changing out showerheads to lower-flow versions.

Gov. Phil Murphy said his administration upgraded to the drought warning designation from an earlier drought “watch” designation due to “historically low precipitation, above-average temperatures, and deteriorating water supply conditions.”

The move gives New Jersey’s Department of Environmental Protection more flexibility to conserve and balance water supplies, including by directing water transfers among water systems, controlling reservoir releases, and regulating flow rates in streams and rivers.

Murphy and DEP Commissioner Shawn LaTourette both cited the effects of climate change in statements on Wednesday, saying the precautionary measures were necessary to hedge against uncertain conditions heading into the winter.

“It can be challenging to adjust our daily habits, but it is imperative that we all work together, heed the guidance to conserve water and use the utmost caution outdoors to reduce the risk of wildfire as dry conditions continue statewide,” Murphy said.

Officials said firefighters are still battling major wildfires across the state, including at Jennings Creek-Sterling Forest on the New Jersey-New York border, and have responded to nearly 540 wildfires in New Jersey since early October. That was more than 14 times the number of wildfires recorded over the same period last year, according to Murphy’s office.

About 1,300 wildfires have burned across some 11,000 acres since the start of 2024, New Jersey officials said — up from less than 1,100 wildfires and 4,000 acres burned a year on average since 2000. According to the state, a prohibition remains on “all fires unless they are contained in an elevated stove using only propane, natural gas or electricity.”

“No wood or charcoal fires are allowed, and the use of kerosene or gas torches of any kind is prohibited while this level of restriction is in place,” a release from the governor’s administration stated on Wednesday.

New York Gov. Kathy Hochul on Tuesday declared a statewide ban on burning outdoor fires for brush and debris disposal, unconstrained campfires and open cooking fires, citing the threat of blazes spiraling out of control. “We cannot have our resources directed to smaller fires,” she said. “We need everybody, all hands on deck on the major scale fires we have right here.”

Amtrak Northeast service was suspended between New York Penn Station and New Haven on Wednesday morning because of a brush fire and transformer explosion near the tracks in the Bronx. Fire-related delays along the corridor began on Tuesday afternoon, sparked by the loss of rail power.

In New York City, FDNY Commissioner Robert Tucker issued a warning Wednesday morning about the "unprecedented" amount of brush fires breaking out this year. Between Oct. 29 and Nov. 12, there were 229 fires citywide, compared to just 200 total for the entire month of October over the last three years, he said.

“Remarkably dry conditions in October and so far in November have resulted in a historic amount of brush fires over the last two weeks and we need the public to remain vigilant,” Tucker said in a statement. “Due to a significant lack of rainfall, the threat of fast spreading brush fires fueled by dry vegetation and windy conditions pose a real threat to our members and our city."

The fire department shared a video it produced of some of the fires it has been battling and reminded New Yorkers to follow fire-safety tips.

The #FDNY has responded to 229 brush fires since October 29 — the highest amount in a two-week period in New York City history.

“Remarkably dry conditions in October and so far in November have resulted in a historic amount of brush fires over the last two weeks and we need the… pic.twitter.com/YawSOXxxww

— FDNY (@FDNY) November 13, 2024

New Jersey officials said South Jersey has been especially hard hit by the lack of rainfall, which has been nearly 10 inches below normal over the last three months. They said reservoirs in Northeast Jersey — the most populous part of the state — are at 60% capacity, down from the normal 72% at this time of year. Groundwater and precipitation levels in Northwest Jersey remain severely dry.

Most states are currently experiencing drought conditions, including all of New Jersey and southern New York, per the National Drought Mitigation Center at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln.