For Immediate Release
Media Contact: Jackie.Greger@sierraclub.org
This past week, New Jersey has seen the effects of climate change on our doorstep. Across the state, there have been consecutive bad air quality days due to smoke from Nova Scotia’s record wildfire and now the Bass State Forest Fire in Ocean County.
In Ocean County yesterday afternoon, a wildfire broke out and has since grown to over 3,100 acres burned at Bass State Forest. First responders were on the scene within 15 to 20 minutes but the blaze had already spread to about 20 acres, being pushed in a west direction due to wind conditions. The fire broke out along Allen Road and was initially not accessible to vehicles, causing firefighters to work through the night. As of 10:30 AM, the blaze was only 15 percent contained.
In a press conference today, NJ Fire Chief Greg McLaughlin stated that the Forest Fire Service expects to continue “to fight in the days to come.” This is the biggest wildfire the state has seen this year. Click here for real time updates by the NJ Forest Fire Service.
According to the DEP’s 2020 NJ Scientific Report on Climate Change, wildfire seasons in NJ “could be lengthened, and the frequency of large fires increased due to hot, dry periods that will result from increased temperatures.”
“The Bass State Forest Fire is a tragic loss of forestlands and a direct impact of climate change here in New Jersey. We thank the firefighters and first responders who are working tirelessly to contain the blaze,” said New Jersey Sierra Club Director, Anjuli Ramos-Busot. “Unfortunately, the frequency of fires due to climate change and dry, hot conditions in our state is a new reality and we must stay vigilant over the next few months as summer approaches. Not only do these fires pose a risk to our state lands and forests, but also to the health of wildlife and communities who live on the frontlines.”
A heightened wildfire season has major air quality implications for New Jersey. The soot from fires is referred to as particulate matter, which is used to gauge the air quality level for public health and environmental purposes.
On Wednesday, the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection issued a code orange air quality alert for the following areas in New Jersey: Middlesex County, Mercer County, Southwestern New Jersey, Monmouth County, Ocean County, Southeastern Burlington County, Salem County, Cumberland County, North Central New Jersey, Atlantic County, Cape May County, Sussex County, Warren County, Bergen County, Passaic County, Hudson County, Essex County, Union County. Code Orange Alerts mean that smog has risen to unhealthy levels, which typically occur on extremely hot days but are expedited by climate change. Click here to view current air quality in NJ.
According to the National Weather Service, a code orange air quality alert means that air pollution concentrations within the region may become unhealthy for sensitive groups. Anyone diagnosed with heart disease, lung disease, and asthma should limit their time outdoors - and no strenuous activities outside.
“The past week of orange air quality alerts and major wildfires shows that climate change impacts on air quality are getting worse. First and foremost, it’s critical that sensitive individuals at risk, including children, the elderly and people suffering from asthma, heart disease, and other lung ailments are informed and protected. With summer around the corner, we will see hotter temperatures and more bad air quality days. That’s why we need to step it up when it comes to reducing climate impacts. This means transitioning to renewables like offshore wind, doubling down on clean transportation, and making our transportation system more efficient so that we can all breathe easier," said Anjuli Ramos-Busot, New Jersey Director of the Sierra Club.
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About the Sierra Club: The Sierra Club is America’s largest and most influential grassroots environmental organization, with millions of members and supporters. In addition to protecting every person's right to get outdoors and access the healing power of nature, the Sierra Club works to promote clean energy, safeguard the health of our communities, protect wildlife, and preserve our remaining wild places through grassroots activism, public education, lobbying, and legal action. For more information about our work in New Jersey, visit www.sierraclub.org/new-jersey.