Topline
A series of wildfires in New Jersey are threatening dozens of structures in the state, as the National Weather Service warned of “critical” fire conditions in the Northeast, including in New York City, where officials have issued an air quality warning.
An air quality warning was issued for New York City, following a series of wildfires across the … [+] Tri-State area.
Key Facts
A wildfire in Pompton Lakes, New Jersey, has burned 100 acres and is 0% contained as of Saturday morning, according to the New Jersey Forest Fire Service, which said 55 structures were threatened.
Another smaller wildfire has burned 39 acres and is 40% contained, threatening an area near the Palisades Interstate Parkway in Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey, the agency said, noting the cause of both wildfires is under investigation.
Both wildfires and another wildfire that sparked inside Brooklyn’s Prospect Park on Friday caused the National Weather Service to issue a “Red Flag Warning” for the region, indicating “critical fire conditions.”
The Northeast is experiencing winds up to 20 miles per hour with gusts up to 30 miles per hour, in addition to dry conditions and “relative humidity” up to 30%, the National Weather Service said, meaning “any fires that start will spread rapidly.”
New York City, Rockland and Westchester, New York, are under an air quality advisory through Friday night, with air that may be “unhealthy” for people with heart or lung disease, older adults, children and teenagers, according to the Environmental Protection Agency.
New York City Mayor Eric Adams said the risk of fires remains “HIGH” amid dry and windy conditions, adding smoke could be “lingering across our city today.”
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Surprising Fact
New York City and Brooklyn have experienced much warmer temperatures than normal, according to the University of Albany. Five of the last eight days have had high temperatures that were nearly 20 degrees above average.
Tangent
The Mountain Fire in Ventura County, California, has burned more than 20,600 acres and is 17% contained as of Saturday, according to the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection. Evacuation orders and warnings are in effect for more than a dozen areas near the wildfire, as California officials warn of an “immediate threat to life.”
Key Background
The National Weather Service warned earlier this week of an increased risk of wildfires throughout the Northeast, including an area that stretches from Massachusetts to the northern edge of Virginia and West Virginia. Multiple brush fires have occurred throughout Massachusetts as the region experiences dry conditions and little to no rain. The National Weather Service previously forecast a high likelihood for La Niña to develop in the U.S. through November and persist until March. This climate pattern normally results in above-average precipitation in the Pacific Northwest, Midwest and Northeast, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Last winter—impacted by El Niño—was the warmest on record in the U.S., with temperatures across the lower 48 states measuring 5.4 degrees higher than average, the NOAA said.
Further Reading
ForbesLa Niña Will Likely Impact US Weather This Winter—Here’s What To ExpectBy Ty Roush
ForbesHurricane Rafael Becomes Category 3 Storm Near Cuba—Here’s What To KnowBy Ty Roush
