Amid worsening drought conditions and a spike in forest fires major restrictions on outdoor burning have been imposed by New Jersey officials. Last week alone, there were 107 fires - 183 acres burned. As a result of the serious drought conditions, an uptick in wildfires and a strain on the state‘s drinking water systems, the governor’s office declared a drought watch late last week and the state Department of Environmental Protection, which oversees the New Jersey Forest Fire Service, imposed Stage 3 fire restrictions on Monday
in all of the state’s 21 counties. Stage 3 is the highest level of restrictions, meaning that lighting any open fires within or adjacent to wooded areas is not allowed unless they are contained in an elevated stove or barbecue grill using only propane, natural gas or electricity. The drought watch urges New Jersey residents and businesses to voluntarily conserve water. If drought conditions do not improve, a drought warning or a drought emergency with mandatory water-use restrictions may become necessary, officials noted.