A fast-moving wildfire in central New Jersey has caused a wave of evacuations and road closures as firefighters struggle to contain the flames. The blaze, known as the Jimmy's Waterhole fire, has burned through 2,500 acres of federal, state, and private property in Manchester Township, which is approximately 50 miles east of Philadelphia. The New Jersey Forest Fire Service said the fire had been 10% contained by early Wednesday, but 170 structures had already been evacuated, and 75 more were threatened.
Officials have also closed portions of Route 539 and Route 70, which run from Philadelphia east toward the coast. It is unclear what started the fire, and the Forest Fire Service has not yet commented. Schools in Manchester Township are closed for spring break this week, and residents are being advised to stay away from the area.
April marks peak wildfire season in New Jersey, and about 7,000 acres of the state's forests are damaged or destroyed each year by an average of 1,500 wildfires. Currently, most of central and southern New Jersey is under a high risk for fires, while counties in the northern section of the state are under a very high risk, officials said.
Last June, the Mullica River fire in Wharton State Forest in South Jersey burned nearly 15,000 acres, becoming the state's largest wildfire since 2007. Officials ruled out natural causes for the fire, such as lightning, and said that an illegal campfire had been found near its origin.
In the Western United States, wildfires are increasing in size and intensity, and wildfire seasons are growing longer. Recent research has suggested that heat and dryness associated with global warming are major reasons for the increase. From January through March, there have been more than 7,700 wildfires across the United States, burning more than 123,000 acres, according to the National Interagency Fire Center. That's below the 10-year average of about 9,800 wildfires and nearly 487,000 acres burned.
The Jimmy's Waterhole fire is just the latest in a string of wildfires that have plagued the United States in recent years. As global temperatures continue to rise and drought conditions persist, experts warn that the frequency and severity of wildfires are likely to increase. It is essential that governments and individuals take steps to mitigate the risks posed by wildfires, including reducing greenhouse gas emissions and implementing effective fire management strategies.
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