On the weekend of November 9th, a surge of wildfires dominated the numerous counties of Northern New Jersey. Residents in neighboring towns were given “critical fire weather warnings” and advised to stay indoors and use respirators if they absolutely needed to go outside. Although these wildfires are usually taken care of in a matter of days or even hours, these wildfires are notorious for their unpredictability and leave a number of lasting effects that have consequences that span miles.
The wildfires that occurred during the weekend of November 9th are known as “brush fires,” which typically start with a combination of strong winds and an abundance of dry shrubs. These wildfires vary in size depending on the strength of the wind and the number of shrubs in a given area. Unfortunately, on that weekend, all of these conditions were met with the addition of stronger winds, an abundance of dry shrubs, and a drought, causing the wildfires to surge in size and intensity.
When raging through land, these fires pose a number of threats to the local residents and the wildlife. As wind blows, the fires are blown with it, spreading to dry brush and leaves and causing the fire to grow in intensity. Everything in their path is scorched, leaving only charred trees and dirt. Animals living in the environment will struggle to find food and shelter and must relocate to new areas. In addition, buildings in the path of the wildfires are threatened to be burnt, endangering citizens and threatening the release of chemicals such as carbon monoxide and particulate matter from the burning of wood, two chemicals infamous for their contributions to air pollution.
Even after these wildfires are put out, a whole new array of issues arises. Smoke emitted from these wildfires can span for miles, affecting the air quality of the neighboring counties. For example, according to the Daily Voice article “Air Quality Worsens As Wildfire Smoke Wafts Over North Jersey”, Cresskill & Closter had an AQI of 50 on the afternoon of November 9th caused by smoke from the Jennings Creek wildfire, which is considered “poor” air quality on the AQI scale. In addition, scorched trees can become a haven for insects, particularly termites, leading to population imbalances and problems for healthier vegetation.
To diminish the risk of contracting respiratory diseases from wildfire smoke, the CDC advised residents to take a few measures. Locals were recommended to stay indoors with a high efficiency filter such as an air conditioning unit to clear the air of any smoke particles. In addition, they were advised to create a “clean room”: a room without a fireplace, a portable air cleaner and as few doors and windows as possible. However, all citizens were highly suggested to have N95 respirators and learn how to use them.
To conclude, these unpredictable forest fires can be devastating to neighboring communities. However, with the right preparation and mindset, the consequences brought by these wildfires can be minimized, allowing said communities to rebuild faster.
