New Jersey fire restrictions, in place for the past month, have been lifted following Wednesday night’s rainfall, the New Jersey Forest Fire Service announced. The drought conditions, which had triggered the restrictions, effected 11 New Jersey counties.
The resulting Stage 3 fire restrictions had prohibited all open fires and the use of kerosene or gas torches on public land and private properties. Rainfall Tuesday and Wednesday finally offered relief from record drought conditions that triggered resulting burn ban, and ended a prolonged dry spell that has led to multiple local brushfires and to Hopewell Township issuing its own drought restrictions locally as conditions here reached a severe, or D2, level. Before the rain this week, Governor Phil Murphy and Commissioner Shawn LaTourette had declared a statewide Drought Warning — upgrading the earlier declaration of a drought watch — and were said to be considering mandatory water restrictions.
Local conditions also sparked two brushfires reported in Hopewell on October 26 and November 3, 2024. Although restrictions have been lifted, the Forest Fire Service asks that New Jerseyans do not become complacent and continue to be careful when using fire.
The National Weather Service forecast that rainfall on Thursday would continue through Friday morning with a chance of snow.
