A pair of wildfires burning in the southern half of the state are now both 50% contained, according to the New Jersey Forest Fire Service. The Big Rusty Wildfire in Hainesport, Burlington County and a wildfire in Lakewood, Ocean County are being worked on aggressively.
Each of the wildfires spread to more than 35 acres, among the thousands that have burned in New Jersey over the last several weeks.
Fire danger, fueled by ongoing drought conditions, is considered very high across the state. According to the U.S. Drought Monitor, most of the state is under a several drought, with the southern part of the state under extreme drought conditions.
This historic stretch of severely dry conditions has also affected drinking water sources. According to the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection, the Manasquan Reservoir, which serves more than a million residents, is more than half empty. All of the reservoirs in the northeastern part of the state are far below normal, averaging approximately 60% full.
