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2024 Northeastern United States wildfires

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2024 Northeastern United States wildfires
Statistics
Total fires400+[1][note 1]
Burned area6,600+ acres
Impacts
Deaths2

The 2024 Northeast wildfires were a series of destructive wildfires in the Northeastern United States in the autumn of 2024. Many of these wildfires were caused and worsened by the ongoing drought in the region.

Background

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Drought in the Northeast began to form following a dry autumn in 2024. September 2024 was the driest on record at Islip, New York and Wilmington, Delaware, with numerous other sites recording a top-10 dry September across the region.[2] Drought significantly expanded in the Northeast following a record-dry October, which in many places, was also the driest month on record. Philadelphia reached a record long rainless streak during this time.[3] High temperatures in the Northeast further worsened drought conditions, with much of New England reaching a record high temperature on November 6.[4] By November 7, over half of the New York metropolitan area was in moderate drought, with three-quarters of New Jersey in severe drought. Extreme drought had also affected portions of New Jersey, Maryland and Pennsylvania.[5] These extremely dry conditions allowed for fires to form and spread across the Northeast.[6]

Summary and impacts

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While wildfires in the Northeast began as early as July 5, the record dryness of September and October allowed them to significantly expand. From October 1 to November 11, over 537 reports of wildfires were received in New Jersey, with 60 in New York, burning 4500 and 2100 acres, respectively.[7] Across the state of Connecticut in late October, 70 wildfires were reported.[8] One such fire, the Hawthorne Fire, resulted in a firefighter being killed on October 22, with two others being injured.[9] By November 1, a statewide burn ban was issued in Maryland.[10]

Following multiple wildfires in Prospect Park, mayor Eric Adams banned all grilling in New York City on November 9.[11] That weekend, the Jackson Creek wildfire expanded into Orange County, New York and an 18-year old firefighter was killed trying to put out the fire. The wildfire also led to businesses and roads being closed.[12] The wildfires also led to poor air quality across the region, with the air quality index reaching 201 in New York City late on November 9.[13] While light rain fell in New Jersey from November 10 to 11th, including up to 0.23 in (5.8 mm) in Trenton and 0.19 in (4.8 mm) in Newark, the rain failed to provide much relief for the wildfires.[14][15] New York City suffered a record number of wildfires from October 29 to November 12.[16] Amtrak service was suspended for 24 hours on November 12-13 between Penn Station and New Haven, Connecticut due to brush fires.[17]

By November 18, many wildfires in the Northeast were beginning to be contained, with the Jennings Creek Fire reaching 90% containment. However, to facilitate in containment, a voluntary evacuation order was issued for Warwick, New York.[18]

Notes

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  1. ^ Only includes New Jersey wildfires

References

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  1. ^ "Wildfires rage across the Northeast amid warm, dry conditions". NBC News. November 10, 2024. Retrieved November 11, 2024.
  2. ^ "Record Dryness in September". Northeast Regional Climate Center. Retrieved November 11, 2024.
  3. ^ "Drought expands in the East following exceptionally dry October". Climate.gov. November 7, 2024. Retrieved November 11, 2024.
  4. ^ "Boston, Worcester set record high temps, fueling brush fire concerns". NBC Boston. November 6, 2024. Retrieved November 11, 2024.
  5. ^ "Maps show drought and fire conditions in Northeast states". CBS News. November 9, 2024. Retrieved November 11, 2024.
  6. ^ "Drought plagues majority of Northeast as dry, windy weather raises fire risk". NBC News. November 7, 2024. Retrieved November 11, 2024.
  7. ^ "Historic drought fuels blazes across Northeast as wildfires burn on both coasts". NBC News. November 11, 2024. Retrieved November 11, 2024.
  8. ^ "70 fires and just short of a drought – why is this happening in CT?". CTMirror. October 31, 2024. Retrieved November 11, 2024.
  9. ^ "2 firefighters injured as Hawthorne Fire continues for an eighth day". NBC Connecticut. October 28, 2024. Retrieved November 12, 2024.
  10. ^ "Maryland Department of Natural Resources Enacts Statewide Burn Ban". Maryland Department of Natural Resources. November 1, 2024. Retrieved November 11, 2024.
  11. ^ "Second brush fire in Brooklyn's Prospect Park snuffed out as mayor bans park grilling". Northeast Daily News. November 9, 2024. Retrieved November 11, 2024.
  12. ^ "'Climate change is real': New York parks employee killed as historic drought fuels blazes". USA Today. November 10, 2024. Retrieved November 11, 2024.
  13. ^ "Air quality alert issued in New York, New Jersey due to brush fire smoke". CBS News. November 10, 2024. Retrieved November 11, 2024.
  14. ^ "Rain arrives but long term dryness, fire weather persist in Northeast". AccuWeather. November 11, 2024. Retrieved November 11, 2024.
  15. ^ "Welcome rain moves into Northeast, mid-Atlantic after record-dry stretch". Fox Weather. November 11, 2024. Retrieved November 13, 2024.
  16. ^ "'Treacherous conditions' in NYC: Firefighters battling record number of brush fires". USA Today. November 12, 2024. Retrieved November 15, 2024.
  17. ^ "Amtrak service between New Haven, Penn Station resumes". WTNH. November 13, 2024. Retrieved November 15, 2024.
  18. ^ "Over 150 homes evacuated as wildfire risk persists across historically dry Northeast". NBC News. November 19, 2024. Retrieved November 19, 2024.
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