The National Weather Service has issued a special weather statement due to an elevated risk for the spread of wildfires in central and southern parts of the state.
According to the statement, minimum relative humidity values will be between 25 and 35 percent combined with northwest winds increasing to 15 to 25 mph and gusts up to 40 mph. These conditions could support the rapid spread of any fires that ignite, which could quickly become difficult to control.
The statement also strongly discouraged outdoor burning – asking people properly extinguish or dispose of any potential ignition sources, including smoking materials such as cigarette butts.
This comes as there has been reports of several brush fires throughout the day.
Authorities have not yet reported any major damage, but citizens in near by areas have posted videos on social media of the fires. The NWS posted on Facebook:
A large wildfire is burning in the vicinity (looks like just east) of Fort Mott State Park. It *appears* to be in the dry vegetation of the marshes along the Delaware Bay.
Local police and fire departments were not immediately available to comment on the matter.
For more information on burn restrictions for your local area, refer to the state’s forest fire management agency.
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Deion Johnson may be reached at djohnson@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Instagram at @DeionRJohnson or X @DeionRJohhnson