NEW YORK (PIX11) – A very dry October has created dangerous conditions in the tri-state area.
The New Jersey Forest Fire Service battled a massive blaze known as the Shotgun Wildfirein Ocean County, near Six Flags Great Adventure. The flames, which have burned across 175 hectares, were only 20% contained as of Thursday morning.
Drought warning declared in New York as October experiences record drought
Several homes were asked to evacuate and 25 buildings in Jackson Township were threatened by the fire, officials said. Wildland firefighters surrounded the fire on the ground with fire trucks and bulldozers.
A fire ban was published in New Jersey because of the dry brushstroke. Prohibition, in parts of the Garden State, banned all fires unless a raised stove was used; wood or charcoal fires or the use of kerosene were not permitted.
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The New Jersey Forest Fire Service responded to more than 500 incidents in October. The coming days are worrying as wind gusts exceeding 20 mph are expected and very low humidity is forecast, officials said.
In New York City, one brush fire An outbreak broke out in Staten Island’s Brookfield Park on Wednesday. More than 100 firefighters and paramedics responded to the second-alarm fire, which the FDNY said was contained after 6 p.m.
The dry weather combined with record temperatures in the three states has contributed to a higher fire risk, officials said.
No injuries were reported in either fire.
Erin Pflaumer is a Long Island-based digital content producer who has covered both local and national news since 2018. She joined PIX11 in 2023. See more of her work here.
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