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Red flag warning issued for Philly area, N.J., as wildfires rage, conditions worsen amid extreme drought

The National Weather Service issued its statement Friday morning as the New Jersey Forest Fire Service was already battling at least three sizeable wildfires.

New Jersey Forest Fire Service District Warden C6t uses water to manage turfing as he works an edge of the forest fire in the Glassboro Wildlife Management Area in Gloucester County, New Jersey on Friday, November 8, 2024.
New Jersey Forest Fire Service District Warden C6t uses water to manage turfing as he works an edge of the forest fire in the Glassboro Wildlife Management Area in Gloucester County, New Jersey on Friday, November 8, 2024.Read moreElizabeth Robertson / Staff Photographer

The National Weather Service has issued a red flag warning for the Philadelphia region, and most of N.J., as a continued extreme drought, combined with high winds and lack of moisture, has pushed fire conditions from bad to critical.

The weather service issued its statement Friday as the New Jersey Forest Fire Service was already battling at least three sizable wildfires in South Jersey, though crews were making progress. The red flag warning included all or parts of Delaware, Philadelphia, Chester, Montgomery, and Bucks counties until 6 p.m. when it expired. The agency warned against lighting any outdoor fires, which could escape and spread quickly.

A red flag warning means that weather conditions have combined to enhance the danger of wildfires.

» READ MORE: N.J. Forest Fire service battle multiple wildfires, one near popular preserve, another near gun range as state enters ‘extreme drought’

“Any fires that develop may quickly get out of control and become difficult to contain,” the weather service said.

New Jersey officials banned open fires in October, but wildfires have continued to break out. Although the causes of most are yet undetermined, 99% of wildfires are started by humans.

The red flag warning was in effect for much of South Jersey, including Atlantic, Burlington, Camden, Cape May, counties, as well as counties farther north, until 6 p.m. The weather service cited a relative humidity as low as 25% and wind gusts of 20 to 30 mph as a key factor. But the weather service was warning of an increased risk of fire Saturday because of the possibility of more gusty winds.

Although there have been hundreds of fires since October, crews are continuing to battle three active blazes in Southern New Jersey. Officials say residents can expect to smell or see smoke for several days.

There is some possible relief: rain is forecast for Sunday night with one-quarter to a half-inch possible. While that could provide enough moisture to quell fires, it is unlikely to refill drained waterways. Some counties are suffering from 10-inch rain deficits the past 90 days.

The active fires, all under investigation, are:

  1. A fire broke out Thursday afternoon at Glassboro Wildlife Management Area near Carpenter Avenue in Gloucester County. On Thursday night, what’s been dubbed the Pheasant Run fire was reported to be 133 acres in scope and 50% contained as of Friday morning. New Jersey Forest Fire Service crews built a fire line and conducted backfiring, which means they strategically burning fuel such as dead branches and brush in the fire’s path to slow its advance.

  2. Thursday morning’s blaze, which the fire service has dubbed the Bethany Run Wildfire, ignited along 75 acres at the border of Evesham Township in Burlington County and Voorhees Township in Camden County and had grown to 360 acres and was 90% contained as of 6:30 p.m.. The fire broke out along a wooded area of Kettle Run Road in Evesham Township near the popular Black Run Preserve and a residential area, threatening 104 buildings. A helicopter capable of dropping 350 gallons of water was deployed. Sycamore Avenue was closed, as was Kettle Run Road from Braddock Mill Road to Hopewell Road. Smoke from the fire could be seen from Philadelphia.

  3. And a fire that broke out Wednesday in the Pinelands near Colliers Mills Wildlife Management area dubbed the “Shotgun Fire,” because it started near a shooting range, was initially 175 acres that grew to 350 acres. The fire raced along the area of Stump Tavern Road in Jackson Township, and was 80% contained as of Friday morning. Six buildings had been threatened and evacuated before people were allowed back in Wednesday night. However, Stump Tavern Road remained closed as of Thursday night from Route 571 to Route 528.