New Jersey state officials have declared a drought warning as wildfires spread through forests and reservoirs hit critically low levels. Governor Phil Murphy and Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) Commissioner Shawn LaTourette announced the decision on Wednesday, urging residents to conserve water amid the severe conditions.
The drought warning empowers the DEP to actively manage the state’s water resources by regulating reservoir releases and adjusting waterway flows to prioritize areas hardest hit by the drought.
While a drought warning is one level below an emergency, which would mandate phased restrictions on water use, officials are asking residents to voluntarily reduce their water usage. Suggested conservation measures include shorter showers, running washing machines and dishwashers only with full loads, and turning off the tap while brushing teeth.
New Jersey’s reservoirs are currently below normal levels for this time of year, with groundwater levels in critical condition across much of the state. The New Jersey Forest Fire Service reports that the state’s dryness level is at a nearly 120-year high, and crews continue to battle a massive wildfire in North Jersey.
The state has experienced rainfall deficits of 6-10 inches since June, with the southern regions particularly affected, showing nearly 10 inches below average rainfall in just the past three months. November has brought only 0.25 to 0.5 inches of rain, far short of the typical 4 inches for this time of year.
The last time New Jersey declared a drought warning was in October 2016, which lasted in parts of the state until August 2017.