New Jersey wildfire leads to air quality alert for New York City and Long Island.
A large wildfire in Ocean County, New Jersey, known as the Jones Road Wildfire, has burned over 13,000 acres, prompting health advisories for air quality in the New York City region. Initially reported on Tuesday morning, the fire led to mandatory evacuations and resulted in a state of emergency being declared by Governor Phil Murphy on Wednesday. By late Wednesday night, the wildfire had expanded to 13,250 acres with approximately 50% containment, according to reports from the New Jersey Forest Fire Service.
The heavy smoke generated by the wildfire is expected to significantly impact air quality in the New York metropolitan area, which includes the five boroughs of New York City, as well as Rockland and Westchester counties. The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) has issued warnings indicating that the Air Quality Index (AQI) for the region may reach unhealthy levels.
The AQI, a scale ranging from 0 to 500, measures air pollution and serves as a public health alert indicating when pollutant levels could be hazardous. Levels between 101 and 150 are categorized as “unhealthy for sensitive groups.” Health officials have specifically highlighted that fine particulate matter in the area is projected to fall within this concerning range. These particles can present serious health risks, including difficulties in breathing and potential heart and lung damage.
Sensitive populations, including children, the elderly, pregnant women, and those with preexisting respiratory conditions like asthma or heart disease, are particularly urged to avoid strenuous outdoor activities during this advisory period. The alert is set to remain in effect until midnight on Thursday.
The Jones Road Wildfire has the potential to become the largest wildfire in New Jersey in the last two decades. Although evacuation orders were lifted on Wednesday morning, the region continues to operate under a state of emergency.
In an update on Thursday, state officials announced the arrest of a 19-year-old individual, Joseph Kling from Ocean Township, who faces charges of aggravated arson and arson linked to the fire. Investigators suspect that Kling was responsible for igniting wooden pallets and failing to fully extinguish the flames before leaving the area.
As the state grapples with the effects of this wildfire, ongoing monitoring and preventive measures will be critical in protecting public health and ensuring the safety of affected communities.
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