Tag:

Wildfires

Electricity, Gas Bills Surge Nationwide: Here's Why Electricity, Gas Bills Surge Nationwide: Here's Why
Electricity, Gas Bills Surge Nationwide: Here's Why If your latest utility bill made you do a double take, you are far from alone.  Across the country, Americans are seeing their electricity and natural gas costs soar, squeezing household budgets just as summer temperatures peak. Several key factors are fueling these price hikes.  Experts say the combination of increased energy demand, supply chain disruptions, and decades of underinvestment that have left the US grid with aging infrastructure are all contributing to the higher bills.  In addition, the growing need for power from AI-driven data centers, expanded oil and gas …
US Economy Shrinks, Private Jobs Report Disappoints As Trump's Tariffs Spark Financial Slump US Economy Shrinks, Private Jobs Report Disappoints As Trump's Tariffs Spark Financial Slump
US Economy Shrinks, Private Jobs Report Disappoints As Trump's Tariffs Spark Financial Slump The US economy shrank during President Donald Trump's first three months back in office, breaking a three-year growth streak as imports surged ahead of his trade wars. Real gross domestic product fell at an annual rate of 0.3% in the first quarter of 2025, according to Bureau of Labor Statistics data released on Wednesday, April 30. It marked the first quarter of negative growth since early 2022. The economic contraction is a dramatic drop from the 2.4% GDP growth the US experienced in the fourth quarter of 2024. The shrinking was largely due to a 41.3% spike in imports …
Wind Gusts Up To 40 MPH Arrive Amid Topsy-Turvy Weather Pattern: 5-Day Forecast Wind Gusts Up To 40 MPH Arrive Amid Topsy-Turvy Weather Pattern: 5-Day Forecast
Wind Gusts Up To 40 MPH Arrive Amid Topsy-Turvy Weather Pattern: 5-Day Forecast The passage of a strong cold front accompanied by severe thunderstorms has been followed by blustery conditions with strong winds. Widespread gusts of 30 to 40 miles per hour on Sunday, April 27, will make it feel colder than temperatures that will be below seasonable averages, the National Weather Service says. "A changeable weather pattern will bring rounds of rain and temperature swings to the Northeast for the final days of April and the first few of May," according to AccuWeather. "The series of storms and cold fronts making for the topsy-turvy weather will not be equal opportunit…
Millions In NJ Breathing Unhealthy Air, New Study Warns: Here's Why Millions In NJ Breathing Unhealthy Air, New Study Warns: Here's Why
Millions In NJ Breathing Unhealthy Air, New Study Warns: Here's Why Nearly half of all people in the United States, including millions across the Northeast and mid-Atlantic, are breathing unhealthy levels of air pollution, according to a new study. The American Lung Association released its 2025 edition of the "State of the Air" report on Wednesday, April 23. The study, now in its 26th year, highlights troubling air quality trends in Connecticut, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, and Virginia. The report found that 156 million people – about 46% of the U.S. population – are living in counties that earned failing grades f…
Air Quality Alert Issued For South Jersey After Wildfires Air Quality Alert Issued For South Jersey After Wildfires
Air Quality Alert Issued For South Jersey After Wildfires The National Weather Service issued an air quality alert on Wednesday, April 23, for parts of Southern New Jersey following the devastating wildfires in eastern Ocean County. The air quality alert was issued for Ocean-Atlantic-Cape May-Atlantic Coastal Cape May-Coastal Atlantic-Coastal Ocean-Southeastern Burlington and includes the cities of Jackson, Hammonton, Cape May Court House, Ocean City, Atlantic City, Long Beach Island and Wharton State Forest. The massive wildfire has burned through 11,500 acres — threatening homes, destroying property, and leaving thousands without power as o…
NJ Wildfire Explodes To 12,500 Acres: Latest From Forest Fire Service NJ Wildfire Explodes To 12,500 Acres: Latest From Forest Fire Service
NJ Wildfire Explodes To 12,500 Acres: Latest From Forest Fire Service An otherwise idyllic spring day along the New Jersey coast was darkened by thick plumes of smoke as a massive wildfire scorched through 12,500 acres — threatening homes, destroying property, and leaving thousands without power Wednesday, April 23. 🚨 A massive wildfire, dubbed the Jones Road Wildfire, is tearing through 1,200 acres in Barnegat Township’s Greenwood Forest Wildlife Management Area, Ocean County, NJ, as of April 22, 2025, with 0% containment. Mandatory evacuations are underway for Wells Mills Road from Bryant… pic.twitter.com/61nPv8YRcH — Laszlo Varga (@LaszloRealtor) April 2…
Major Wildfire Burns 2,300 Acres In Camden County, Forces Campground Evacuations Major Wildfire Burns 2,300 Acres In Camden County, Forces Campground Evacuations
Major Wildfire Burns 2,300 Acres In Camden County, Forces Campground Evacuations A major wildfire burning in Wharton State Forest has scorched more than 2,300 acres and forced campground evacuations in Waterford Township, Camden County, the New Jersey Forest Fire Service said. As of Sunday evening, March 23, the wildfire—named the California Branch Wildfire—was 80% contained, officials said. The fire is burning near Raritan Avenue and Old Atsion Road, and while 18 structures are close to the flames, crews say the fire is moving away from homes. The Goshen Pond Campground and Atsion Family Campground have both been evacuated, officials said. No residential structures ha…
New LA Wildfires Update: Death Toll Hits 16, With 40,000 Acres, 12,000 Structures Destroyed New LA Wildfires Update: Death Toll Hits 16, With 40,000 Acres, 12,000 Structures Destroyed
New LA Wildfires Update: Death Toll Hits 16, With 40,000 Acres, 12,000 Structures Destroyed The number of confirmed deaths from six separate wildfires in the Los Angeles area has climbed to 16. The situation remains dire, with at least another 16 people still reported missing, and authorities anticipate that this number may increase as the search continues. The wildfires have destroyed 40,000 acres -- more than twice the size of Manhattan and almost the size of Washington, DC, while The creating apocalyptic scenes that seem straight from a horror movie. More than 12,000 structures have been destroyed. A red flag warnings for dangerous fire conditions through Wednesday, Jan.…
32-Year-Old Former Child Star Among Those Killed In LA Wildfires 32-Year-Old Former Child Star Among Those Killed In LA Wildfires
32-Year-Old Former Child Star Among Those Killed In LA Wildfires A former child star and motivational speaker is among the victims of the devastating Los Angeles wildfires, his family has confirmed. Click here for a new, updated story - Death Toll Hits 16, With 40,000 Acres, 12,000 Structures Destroyed Rory Sykes, 32, an Australian who gained media attention as a boy for sharing his experiences living with disabilities, died on Wednesday, Jan. 8, at his family’s estate in Malibu, his mother, Shelley Sykes, announced in a post on X. “It is with great sadness that I have to announce the death of my beautiful son @Rorysykes to the Malibu fires yeste…
'Historic Low': NJ Reservoir Drops Below Half Capacity As Wildfires Burn Across State 'Historic Low': NJ Reservoir Drops Below Half Capacity As Wildfires Burn Across State
'Historic Low': NJ Reservoir Drops Below Half Capacity As Wildfires Burn Across State The Manasquan Reservoir, a crucial water source in Monmouth County, has dropped to historically low levels as New Jersey experiences wildfires and drastic drought conditions. The reservoir's water elevation was recorded at 91.27 feet above sea level on the morning of Monday, Nov. 18, according to Marc Brooks, executive director of the New Jersey Water Supply Authority (NJWSA). That measurement at the Howell Township reservoir was 11.73 feet below its full pool level. The reservoir was holding 2.3 billion gallons of water, which is just 49.35 percent of its 4.67-billion capacity. “This is a…
Wildfire Consumed 35 Acres In Pine Barrens Forest, Elevated Risk Across NJ Reported Wildfire Consumed 35 Acres In Pine Barrens Forest, Elevated Risk Across NJ Reported
Wildfire Consumed 35 Acres In Pine Barrens Forest, Elevated Risk Across NJ Reported Firefighters were battling a second wildfire in Burlington County in less than a week, officials said. Crews responded to the "multi-acre" fire near Mary Ann Forge Road in the Brendan T. Byrne State Forest in Pemberton Township on Wednesday, Oct. 16, the state Forest Fire Service (NJFFS) said in a Facebook post. Officials said the fire had consumed 35 acres but had been 60 percent contained. No evacuations have been issued, no buildings were threatened, and no roads were closed by the wildfire. "Breezy winds with occasional gusts near 20 mph, relative humidity values n…
Blue Supermoon: What You Need To Know About Rare Lunar Event Blue Supermoon: What You Need To Know About Rare Lunar Event
Blue Supermoon: What You Need To Know About Rare Lunar Event There's an out-of-this-world lunar event set to begin this week.  From Monday, Aug. 19, through Wednesday, Aug. 21, the moon will appear bigger and brighter in the night sky than normal. It's called the supermoon. It's the first one of the year, but that's not why this one is special.  A supermoon occurs when the moon is full and closest to Earth in its orbit, according to NASA. That closeness makes the rocky satellite appear 15 percent bigger and 30 percent brighter.  What makes August's supermoon so unique is that it's a blue moon. No, the light of the moon won't change co…
NJ Boosts Wildfire Budget Amid String Of Large Blazes, Long Season NJ Boosts Wildfire Budget Amid String Of Large Blazes, Long Season
NJ Boosts Wildfire Budget Amid String Of Large Blazes, Long Season An extra $3 million in state money will go to the Department of Environmental Protection’s Forest Fire Service to assist in fighting wildfires, authorities said. New Jersey Environmental Protection Commissioner Shawn M. LaTourette, at a Thursday, Sept. 21 news conference, said funding for new firefighting equipment and staff is vital as climate change heightens and lengthens wildfire seasons in the Garden State. This year was among the busiest and longest wildfire season in a decade, state officials said. Forest Fire Service Administrator and Chief Greg McLaughlin said there is a high pr…
Police ID Pilot Killed In Crash That Sparked Jersey Shore Wildfire Police ID Pilot Killed In Crash That Sparked Jersey Shore Wildfire
Police ID Pilot Killed In Crash That Sparked Jersey Shore Wildfire The pilot killed in a plane crash near Robert J. Miller Airpark in Lacey Township has been identified, authorities said. Oscar Molina, 61, of Long Brach was killed when his Cirrus SR20 crashed at about 10:40 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 2 near the Ocean County airpark, Lacey police said. He was the only person aboard the plane. Authorities discovered the crash while investigating what grew into an 831-acre wildfire that broke out in the area of Dover and West Lacey roads shortly before midnight Saturday, As firefighters responded to the blaze Sunday, the plane was found, Lacey police said. T…
Smoky Skies To Stay For Summer? Forecasters Say More Hazy Days Are Ahead Smoky Skies To Stay For Summer? Forecasters Say More Hazy Days Are Ahead
Smoky Skies To Stay For Summer? Forecasters Say More Hazy Days Are Ahead The July 4th weekend has arrived, but chances are the smell of smoke outside isn't coming from barbecues — and according to forecasters, there's even more ahead. The air quality on Saturday, July 1 was slightly better than it was earlier in the week, with AQIs average in the 120s and code orange and yellows issued — as opposed to purple and red — across the region. Slowly, slowly, the smoke was starting to disperse. However, AccuWeather Senior Meteorologist Brett Anderson is confident, it will be back. "I do believe this will go down as the summer of smoke and haze for much of Canada and …
Wildfires Consume 1,550 Acres In South Jersey Wildfires Consume 1,550 Acres In South Jersey
Wildfires Consume 1,550 Acres In South Jersey Two wildfires consumed 1,550 acres in Burlington County but were fully contained, authorities said. At noon Monday, June 12, the New Jersey Forest Fire Service had reached 100 percent containment of a 700-acre wildfire in the area of Kettle Run Road, Evesham Township, Burlington County. That wildfire was called the Buzby Boggs Wildfire.. Over the course of the fire, four  structures were threatened. There was no damage to any of the structures. Also by noon on Monday, the New Jersey Forest Fire Service had reached 100 percent containment of a 850-acre wildfire in the area of Cit…
100-Acre Wildfire Rages In South Jersey 100-Acre Wildfire Rages In South Jersey
100-Acre Wildfire Rages In South Jersey A wildfire was raging in Gloucester County. The fire had destroyed 100 acres and was not contained, the New Jersey Forest Fire Service said early Tuesday, March 30. The fire was named the Box Turtle Fire and was in the White Oaks Wildlife Management Area. The wildlife, which broke out Monday night, is in Franklin and Monroe Townships. Forest Fire Service crews were conducting a "burnout operation" to contain and slow the forward progression of the fire. One structure was threatened, the forest fire service said. No one had been evacuated and no roads had been closed. CHECK BACK FOR UPD…
IN CONTROL: North Jersey Wildfire 100% Contained, Threat Is Gone, Officials Say IN CONTROL: North Jersey Wildfire 100% Contained, Threat Is Gone, Officials Say
IN Control: North Jersey Wildfire 100% Contained, Threat Is Gone, Officials Say UPDATE: The wildfire that marched through West Milford the past three days is 100% contained, the New Jersey Forest Fire Service reported on Saturday. The blaze, which was beaten back at first but then grew steadily over the previous 48 hours, finally topped out at 972 acres on April 15 – and that was it, the service said. Fire officials also said this would be the last of the updates from the “Kanouse Wildfire," the largest blaze in North Jersey since 2010. Ten structures in all were threatened – half of which were evacuated – yet none were seriously damaged thanks to the support of fire…
FINITO: North Jersey Wildfire 100% Contained, Threat Is Over, Officials Say FINITO: North Jersey Wildfire 100% Contained, Threat Is Over, Officials Say
Finito: North Jersey Wildfire 100% Contained, Threat Is Over, Officials Say The worst is over: The wildfire that marched through West Milford the past three days is 100% contained, the New Jersey Forest Fire Service reported on Saturday. The blaze, which was beaten back at first but then grew steadily over the previous 48 hours, finally topped out at 972 acres on April 15 – and that was it, the service said. Fire officials also said this would be the last of the updates from the “Kanouse Wildfire," the largest blaze in North Jersey since 2010. Ten structures in all were threatened – half of which were evacuated – yet none were seriously damaged thanks to the supp…
GREAT NEWS: North Jersey Wildfire 100% Contained, Authorities Report GREAT NEWS: North Jersey Wildfire 100% Contained, Authorities Report
Great NEWS: North Jersey Wildfire 100% Contained, Authorities Report UPDATE: The worst is over: The wildfire that marched through West Milford the past three days is 100% contained, the New Jersey Forest Fire Service reported on Saturday. The blaze, which was beaten back at first but then grew steadily over the previous 48 hours, finally topped out at 972 acres on April 15 – and that was it, the service said. Fire officials also said this would be the last of the updates from the “Kanouse Wildfire," the largest blaze in North Jersey since 2010. Ten structures in all were threatened – half of which were evacuated – yet none were seriously damaged thanks to …
$1M Grant Awarded For Wildfire Prevention Near NJ Military Bases $1M Grant Awarded For Wildfire Prevention Near NJ Military Bases
$1M Grant Awarded For Wildfire Prevention Near NJ Military Bases The New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection is set to receive $995,000 from the U.S. Department of Defense to reduce wildfire risk near military facilities, the DEP announced. The federal grant targets areas surrounding Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, Warren Grove Gunnery Range in Bass River State Forest, Naval Weapons Station Earle and Sea Girt National Guard Training Facility, the DEP said in a press statement. The New Jersey Forest Fire Service responded to 1,175 wildfires that burned 12,664 acres last year, according to the DEP. When a wildfire encroaches a military instal…
COVID, Murder Hornets, What's Next? Try Fire Tornadoes COVID, Murder Hornets, What's Next? Try Fire Tornadoes
COVID, Murder Hornets, What's Next? Try Fire Tornadoes Fear factorists were having a field day with the latest threat to civilization: fire tornadoes. Given all that's been unleashed in the world lately, the fiery funnels that rose from northern California wildfires over the weekend were guaranteed to generate headlines. But like the so-called murder hornets that fear mongers foisted on folks earlier this year, flaming twisters remain nearly 3,000 miles from the Northeast -- and extremely rare. A wildfire that began last Friday near Loyalton, CA -- about 45 miles west of Reno, Nevada -- “exploded most impressively” on Saturday “with a ver…