2023 New Jersey Wildfire Season: Fire Weather Forecast (May 17th)

On May 15th, I wrote about the danger of conditions that are ripe for extreme fire danger this week. The expected fire weather danger turned into real fire weather danger yesterday, March 16th, with Red Flag Warnings in southern New Jersey and an elevated risk of fire danger for the rest of the state. These same fire weather conditions continue today, March 17th with Red Flag Warnings continuing for much of southern New Jersey and an elevated risk of fire danger in the rest of New Jersey (covered by a Special Weather Statement issued bo the National Weather Service). 

Obtained on May 17, 2023 at 11:30 AM from https://www.weather.gov/phi/

000

WWUS81 KPHI 171335

RFWPHI

URGENT - FIRE WEATHER MESSAGE

National Weather Service Mount Holly NJ

935 AM EDT Wed May 17 2023

NJZ017>020-022-027-180000-

/O.CON.KPHI.FW.W.0005.000000T0000Z-230518T0000Z/

Gloucester-Camden-Northwestern Burlington-Ocean-Atlantic-

Southeastern Burlington-

935 AM EDT Wed May 17 2023

...RED FLAG WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 8 PM EDT THIS EVENING

FOR GUSTY WINDS AND LOW RELATIVE HUMIDITY FOR PARTS OF SOUTHERN 

NEW JERSEY...

* AFFECTED AREA...Gloucester, Camden, Burlington, Ocean and

  Atlantic counties, especially the Pine Barrens.

* TIMING...Through early this evening, with the driest conditions

  occurring this afternoon.

* WINDS...North 10 to 20 mph with gusts up to 30 mph.

* RELATIVE HUMIDITY...As low as 20 percent.

* TEMPERATURES...In the mid to upper 60s.

* IMPACTS...The combination of dry conditions, low relative 

  humidity and gusty winds will result in favorable conditions 

  for the rapid spread of wildfires today.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

A Red Flag Warning means that critical fire weather conditions

are expected due to a combination of strong winds, low relative

humidity and dry fuels. Any fires that develop may quickly get

out of control and become difficult to contain.

For more information about wildfire danger, burn restrictions,

and wildfire prevention and education, please visit your state

forestry or environmental protection website.

&&

$$

Iovino/Gorse