A wildfire in northern New Jersey, known as the Microwave Wildfire, has been raging near Rockaway Township, Morris County, just 40 miles away from New York City. The fire started over the weekend and has already burned through around 77 acres of dry woodland due to the prolonged dry weather in the region.
As of Sunday morning, about 30% of the wildfire had been brought under control, with approximately 30 buildings at risk. To ensure the safety of residents, Jacobs Road in the Rockaway area was closed off. By Sunday evening, firefighters had managed to contain about 70% of the fire, leaving only 13 buildings still in danger.
Despite the severity of the situation, no evacuation orders were issued, and residents were not required to leave their homes. Firefighters continued their efforts on Monday and had successfully contained 85% of the fire by the evening, with only three buildings left at risk.
The New Jersey Forest Fire Service has been leading the charge in extinguishing the blaze, with support from local fire teams in Morris County. A helicopter equipped to drop 350 gallons of water at a time conducted 15 water drops over the fire on Saturday, significantly aiding in containment efforts.
The dry weather conditions in New Jersey have made the state highly susceptible to wildfires, as evidenced by a separate fire that burned 30 acres in Medford Township, Burlington County, last week. The New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection has imposed restrictions on campfires and farm burns to mitigate the fire risk.
In response to the ongoing dry spell, the state issued an official drought watch last Thursday, urging residents to conserve water. Nearly 87% of New Jersey is currently classified as “abnormally dry,” with portions facing moderate to severe drought conditions. The New Jersey Forest Fire Service has raised the fire danger level to “very high” statewide, emphasizing the need for vigilance and caution.
Despite the challenging circumstances, there have been no reported injuries from the wildfire in Rockaway Township. Officials are working diligently to investigate the cause of the fire and ensure the safety of nearby areas, such as Farny State Park and Camp Winnebago. The community is urged to adhere to fire restrictions and water conservation measures to address the ongoing fire and drought challenges facing New Jersey.
