Our country is coming to an end and New Jersey could be the first state to go down. For the past two weeks, New Jersey has faced multiple wildfires in multiple areas. Dry air, rainless days, and monthly drought conditions have led to the burning of many communities across Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and New York. The first forest fire ignited on October 30th in Evesham township and burned for several days. After the fire, smoke spread out throughout half of the state from Trenton, New Brunswick, Paterson, and many other towns. The police informed the public that the fire consumed 52 acres of land but nothing was damaged. Even though nothing was damaged that first week, the unhealthy smoke and smell affected everybody in New Jersey making some sick.
The second wildfire of the week took place in Jenning Creek, NJ burning all around Passaic County and across the border of Orange County. Officials announced that New Jersey and New York were 90 percent contained early Friday, November 9th. They said the fire had burned through 2,300 acres in New Jersey and another 2,4000 acres in New York. Ten structures were in danger from the fire, including the Long Pond Ironworks Historic District; no evacuations were needed but the smoke and smell triggered multiple pedestrians.
For several days, Burlington, Sussex, Passaic, and Orange counties were under extreme risk due to the blaze in different areas. Authorities spent days investigating what started the fire that burned 2,283 acres of wood in West Milford. Later that month, New Jersey had an even larger fire initiated by fireworks in Burlington County. Police said the first wildfire of the month of October was ignited by Richard Shashaty, a 37-year-old man. Authorities mentioned the shooter fired illegal ammunition at a shooting range that sparked the cap of the bullet that burned through 350 acres. This fire led to the death of Dariel Vazques, an 18-year-old park employee who died when a tree fell on him in Ocean County. The blaze continued to rise up in Glassboro burning through 135 acres the same week, leaving the entire community covered in a blur of smoke. On November 8, 2024, Mr. Shashanty was charged with arson and violation of the regulatory provisions relating to firearms, in connection with the wildfire that began in Jackson Township on November 6, 2024.
On November 7th, a 14-year-old boy was arrested and charged for allegedly starting the wildfire in Evesham Township. The police refused to release his name due to his age, the kid was charged with “aggravated arson and causing or risking widespread injury or damage”, police informed. The November 7th fire burned for multiple days over 375 acres and contaminated 75% of the area. It is very unlikely for a fire to ignite itself, so it was very easy for the authorities to bring in some suspects right away.
Most of the wildfires from last week, which can cause respiratory issues, throat, eyes, and nose irritation, and potentially heart and lung diseases, were 75% contaminated. But it mainly affected those who were on the road by disrupting their visibility. Also, contaminants significantly affect plant growth and ecosystem health which can kill nature slowly. Some people had to limit their outdoor activities after school and work due to the risk of intoxication. It also affects climate change and the ozone layer.
These wildfires are hard to shut down due to the dry weather conditions in New Jersey for the past month. It makes it difficult to bring it down because of the lack of rain and humidity. A rainy day would benefit firefighters to bring down the blaze and fogginess, but they are putting in their best efforts to recover those acres burned and remove the slight smoke.
