Strong winds also could cause wildfires in eastern Pennsylvania. Watch video
The combination of gusty winds and dry brush has increased the risk for wildfires Thursday in 10 counties across New Jersey, according to the National Weather Service.
In a special weather statement issued Thursday morning, the weather service said westerly winds are expected to be blowing steadily from 15 to 20 mph and frequently gusting to 25 to 30 mph during the afternoon.
Because the relative humidity is very low, debris in forests, parks and wooded areas -- such as dead tree branches, pine needles, grasses and leaves -- are very dry, making them more susceptible to fires that could rapidly spread, the weather service said.
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The fire threat is considered elevated across the bottom half of New Jersey, from Mercer and Monmouth counties south to Cumberland and Cape May counties. The same threat exists in eastern Pennsylvania.
Another windy day
Although it is windy today, the gusts are not expected to get as strong as the top winds that were blowing in the Garden State on Wednesday. That's when a gust of 56 mph was recorded at High Point Monument in Sussex County and a gust of 51 mph was recorded in Seaside Heights, according to the New Jersey Weather & Climate Network at Rutgers University.
Among the other strong gusts recorded on Wednesday were:
- 46 mph in Fortescue in Cumberland County
- 46 mph in Pennsauken in Camden County
- 44 mph in Mullica Township in Atlantic County
- 43 mph in Moorestown in Burlington County
- 42 mph in Columbus in Burlington County
- 42 mph in Harvey Cedars in Ocean County
In early February, the state started its seasonal controlled-burn program that calls for between 10,000 and 20,000 acres of brush to be burned to help prevent larger forest fires from breaking out.
The program cuts the risk of wildfires by burning buildup from trees, undergrowth, leaves and other debris on forest floors.
Len Melisurgo may be reached at LMelisurgo@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @LensReality or like him on Facebook. Find NJ.com on Facebook.