N.J. officials issue drought warning

The head of the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection issued a drought warning on Wednesday as fires continue across the state. Officials are urging residents and business owners to conserve water as the drought persists.

The New Jersey Forest Fire Service says conditions in the state are the driest they have been in nearly 120 years. Since early October, the Forest Fire Service has responded to 537 wildfires, a more than 1,300% increase in wildfires over the same period last year.

State officials held an online hearing Tuesday on the conditions but would not answer questions, including whether any part of the state is in danger of running out of drinking water or having adequate water to fight fires.

The last time a drought warning was issued in the state was in 2016, and it persisted for half a year.

During a press conference on Wednesday, Gov. Phil Murphy said the rain the state received over the weekend was not nearly enough to ease drought problems, especially given the dryness of the past six months. “We expect the drought to continue into the winter,” Murphy said.

“The drought we are currently experiencing is just one example of climate change, not just in the future, but here and now,” Murphy said.

“We need several months of at least average rain, if not substantially above average rain, to emerge from these conditions,” said New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection Commissioner Shawn M. LaTourette.

What the drought warning means for residents

The goal of a drought warning is to preserve and balance available water supplies to avert more serious water shortages in the future.

The DEP drought warning administrative order issued Wednesday establishes a formal process for the DEP to work with water suppliers in affected regions to ensure no single water supplier or region faces a significant shortfall if dry weather and high customer demand continue.

The state could declare a drought emergency and implement mandatory water restrictions if significant rain doesn’t fall soon.

Water conservation tips

The public is strongly encouraged to follow these tips to reduce water use:

• Let lawns go dormant for the season.
• Winterize and shut off irrigation systems as soon as possible.
• Only use a watering can to water flowers and shrubs, or allow them to go dormant for the season.
• Use a broom to sweep the sidewalk, not a hose.
• Use a commercial car wash that recycles water.
• To save water at home, fix leaky faucets and pipes. Consider replacing your toilet with a low-flow version.
• Upgrade your showerhead to a low-flow version.
• Upgrade faucets or install faucet aerators.

Tips for avoiding fires in a drought

• Store flammable materials safely. Keep materials in a cool, dry place and avoid storing multiple flammable items together.
• Make sure fire pits and camp fires are totally put out. One ember could spark a fire.
• Create a safety zone. Keep a 30-foot safety zone around your home that’s clear of leaf piles and brush and has short grass. Store firewood and other combustible materials at least 30 feet away from buildings.
• Dispose of cigarette butts properly. Throw cigarette butts in a covered outdoor bin to reduce the chance of fire.
• Don’t leave barbecues unattended. Unattended cooking is a leading cause of residential fires, especially if children or pets are nearby.
• Implement fire-resistant landscaping. Choose plants that are less flammable when landscaping.
• Harden your home. Make your home more fire-resistant by re-roofing with fire-safe materials, covering vents and boxing in eaves.
• Park vehicles away from dry grass. The hot undercarriage of a vehicle can ignite dry grass.
• Plan escape routes. Plan escape routes from your home by car and on foot, and have a meeting place with your family.
• Notify the electric company if dead trees or overhanging limbs are near electric wires.
• Call 911 if you see suspicious smoke or fire.