The Murphy Administration is urging New Jersey residents to remain wildfire-aware and conserve water as drought conditions persist into spring, the state’s peak wildfire season and a time of increased water use for landscaping and lawn care.
New Jersey remains under an official drought warning following minimal precipitation in the fall, the third-driest January on record, and below-average winter precipitation. While February’s rainfall was near normal, it did not fully replenish reservoirs and groundwater. These conditions have increased wildfire risks and hindered prescribed burns, which are critical for preventing wildfires. Typically, the NJ Forest Fire Service treats 25,000 acres with prescribed fire, but so far this year, only 1,707 acres of grasslands and six acres of forest have been treated—an all-time low.
“Our forests are very dry, and our precious drinking water sources remain stressed from lack of precipitation,” said Environmental Protection Commissioner Shawn M. LaTourette. “As we head into spring following a very dry fall and winter, we must all do our part to prevent wildfires and reduce water use, especially when gardening, landscaping, and caring for our lawns.”
Drought Warning & Water Conservation
New Jersey has been under a drought warning since Nov. 13, 2024, urging voluntary water conservation. The DEP is coordinating with water systems to optimize supply. If conditions do not improve, the state may declare a drought emergency, which would mandate restrictions. The last such emergency was declared in March 2002 and lifted in January 2003.
In response to the ongoing conditions, the Administration has launched NJ Wildfire SMART (Safety, Mitigation, Awareness, Response, Training) to raise public awareness about fire prevention. Additionally, a spring conservation campaign offers water-saving tips for landscaping and lawn care. For resources, visit DEP’s Every Drop Counts website.
Governor Murphy has also proposed a $1 million increase in the Forest Fire Service budget to enhance wildfire response efforts.
“The increase in funding that Governor Murphy has proposed for the Forest Fire Service will be critical to providing the Forest Fire Service with the resources they need to respond quickly, safeguard lives and property, and reduce the risk of future catastrophic wildfires,” said John Cecil, DEP’s Assistant Commissioner for State Parks, Forests & Historic Sites.
Prolonged Dry Conditions & Water Supply Concerns
Drought impacts vary based on conditions. Meteorological drought results from prolonged dry weather, while soil moisture drought affects crops and vegetation. Water supply drought develops more gradually, affecting reservoirs, groundwater, and stream flows.
New Jersey saw below-average precipitation from September 2024 through January 2025, with precipitation deficits of up to 1.7 inches over the past 90 days. Even more concerning, all regions of the state are between 26% to 50% below normal precipitation levels over the past 180 days, with deficits reaching nearly 10 inches.
Reservoir systems in northern and coastal regions remain particularly stressed. While meteorological conditions have improved slightly, the state’s water supplies have not recovered from long-term precipitation deficits.
“The DEP continues to closely monitor drought conditions that began late last summer that have placed stresses on reservoirs and groundwater supplies across the state,” said State Geologist Steven Domber. “The DEP uses region-specific indicators to gauge the impacts that significantly reduced precipitation has had on water supplies. These include reservoir levels, stream flows, and levels in shallow groundwater sources, known as unconfined aquifers, which are important in the longer-term replenishment of streams and reservoirs.”
Drought & Wildfire Preparedness
During a Feb. 13 roundtable in the wildfire-prone Pinelands region, Governor Murphy and Commissioner LaTourette reinforced the importance of public awareness and collaboration in wildfire prevention. Following the meeting, the Administration proposed a $1 million increase in wildfire preparedness funding for Fiscal Year 2026, beginning July 1, 2025.
The Forest Fire Service has responded to a surge in wildfires since September 2024, which saw one of the busiest fall wildfire seasons on record. 798 wildfires burned 4,847 acres, and since Jan. 1, 2025, the state has recorded 381 wildfires burning 1,242 acres—a 266% increase over last year.
“New Jersey’s prolonged dry conditions are placing stress on our water resources and increasing the risk of devastating wildfires,” said Jim Waltman, executive director of The Watershed Institute. “With reservoir levels dropping and wildfire activity surging, it’s clear that we need a concerted effort to conserve water and improve wildfire preparedness. The data is alarming—wildfire incidents have more than tripled compared to last year, and long-term precipitation deficits strain our streams and aquifers. We must act now to protect our communities and ecosystems from the worsening impacts of drought and fire.”
Recent Major Wildfires
Three major wildfires—each burning over 100 acres—occurred in March 2025:
- Fort Mott Road, Pennsville Township, Salem County – Burned 377 acres, contained March 1.
- Poor Farm Road, Hopewell Township, Mercer County – Burned 293 acres, the largest wildfire in Mercer County since 1906.
- Franklin Township, Gloucester County – Burned 191 acres, threatened 60 homes, contained March 13.
The causes of these fires remain under investigation.
Spring Wildfire Conditions & Prescribed Fires
Spring is peak wildfire season, particularly in Mid-March to Mid-May. Dry vegetation, low humidity, and high winds create ideal conditions for rapid fire spread, especially in the Pinelands, where sandy soils dry out quickly.
Drought has also hampered prescribed burns, which are essential for reducing wildfire fuel loads.
“Prescribed fire plays a critical role in reducing wildfire risks, but persistent dry conditions have made it increasingly difficult to implement prescribed fire at the intended scale,” said Bill Donnelly, State Fire warden and Chief of the Forest Fire Service.
Wildfire Risk Resources
Residents in forested or wildfire-prone areas—known as the wildland-urban interface—are encouraged to use NJ’s Wildfire Risk Assessment Portal, which provides data on fire intensity and mitigation strategies.
Additional resources include the NJ Fire Danger Dashboard, updated regularly by the Forest Fire Service, displaying fire danger ratings and campfire restrictions.
Real-time wildfire updates, including road closures and evacuations, are posted on Facebook (@NJForestFireService)and X (@njdepforestfire) and shared locally through our local municipalities, police, and fire departments.
Wildfire Prevention Tips
Most wildfires can be avoided by adhering to commonsense safety tips:
- Don’t discard cigarettes, matches or smoking materials on the ground.
- Use indoor wood stoves and fireplaces carefully – both can emit embers that spark fires. Fully douse ashes with water before disposal.
- When towing a trailer, ensure chains are not dragged on the road, which can create sparks that fly into nearby vegetation, igniting a wildfire.
- Be mindful of where you park or drive your vehicle. Hot exhaust systems can ignite dry vegetation if parked or driven over.
- Be careful when cutting grass or using yard tools. Power tools like lawnmowers and chainsaws can throw off sparks that ignite dry grass or leaves.
- Keep matches and lighters away from children and teach youth about fire safety. Children can learn about wildfire safety with Smokey Bear’s mobile game Smokey’s Scouts.
- Contact your nearest Forest Fire Service office about how to obtain a Campfire Permit.
Additional reporting by Seth Siditsky
