Most of New Jersey is in a critical fire weather area today (Source: Storm Prediction Center)
Preventing outdoor fires is crucial today, with a red flag warning in effect until 8 p.m. in New Jersey, according to the National Weather Service.
And that includes proper disposal of "smoking materials," according to the weather service Mount Holly Office.
Most of New Jersey is in a "critical fire weather area" today and the rest is in an elevated area, according to the Storm Prediction Center.
The fire threat stems from an exceptionally dry air mass, daytime relative humidity of 15 to 25 percent and likely sustained winds of 20 to 25 mph, gusting to 30 to 40 mph, according to the center.
The fire danger is "extreme," according to a sign I saw while driving south on Rt. 34 past the Earle Naval Weapons Station.
A forest fire in the Bevans Wildlife Management Area in Downe, N.J., has burned an estimated 1,500-plus acres since 3 p.m. Wednesday, according to an Associated Press story. The fire was expected to go out by itself.
Some images:
A fire in the Berkeley area (photo by Dustin Racioppi)
The same fire (photo by Magdeline Bassett)
The red flag warning area (Source: National Weather Service Mount Holly Office)
Source: National Weather Service Upton N.Y. Office
Source: National Weather Service Upton N.Y. Office
Source: New Jersey Forest Fire Service
