Checking the horizon for smoke is basically a New Jersey pastime lately. Honestly, after the wild 2025 season we had—specifically that monster Jones Road fire that chewed through 15,000 acres in the Pine Barrens—everyone's a little jumpy. If you're looking out the window today and wondering where are the fires in nj, the answer is a bit of a mixed bag.
As of mid-January 2026, the state isn't currently battling any massive, out-of-control "megafires," but that doesn't mean the New Jersey Forest Fire Service (NJFFS) is just sitting around drinking coffee.
We’ve had a few localized brush fires pop up in the last week, mostly in the southern half of the state where the sandy soil dries out faster than a spilled drink in July. But here is the thing: what you're seeing in the sky might not even be an emergency.
Where Are the Fires in NJ Today?
Right now, the "active" list is pretty quiet in terms of life-threatening blazes. However, if you see smoke in Ocean, Burlington, or Atlantic County, there's a 90% chance it’s a prescribed burn.
The NJFFS has been aggressively hitting their "fuel reduction" goals this month. They basically fight fire with fire. By burning off the dead leaves and "duff" on the forest floor now, while it's cold, they prevent the Pine Barrens from becoming a literal tinderbox when the wind picks up in April.
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Why South Jersey Is Always the Hub
It's not a coincidence. The Pinelands are a "fire-climax" ecosystem. The Pitch Pines there actually need fire to pop their seeds open. But because we’ve built so many houses right up against the woods—the "Wildland-Urban Interface"—every little spark in Wharton State Forest feels like a personal threat.
- Ocean County: Historically the most active. The ground here is basically pure sand and pine needles.
- Burlington County: Home to massive stretches of unbroken forest.
- Cumberland & Atlantic: Often see early-season grass fires along the marshes.
The 2026 Drought Factor
People think winter means "wet." Not necessarily. This January has been weirdly dry. We’re coming off a year where parts of the state saw the lowest rainfall in over a century.
When the humidity drops into the 20% range—even if it's 35 degrees out—the forest floor becomes incredibly volatile. A tossed cigarette or a "controlled" backyard leaf burn can turn into a 50-acre headache in about twenty minutes. The NJFFS has already responded to a handful of these "initial attack" incidents in the first two weeks of the year.
Real-Time Tracking Tools
If you're smelling smoke and want to know if you should be packing a bag, don't wait for the evening news. The pros use specific maps:
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- The NJFFS Section B10 Dashboard: This is the gold standard for South Jersey.
- NASA FIRMS Map: Uses satellites to detect "thermal anomalies" (heat). If it's big, the satellite sees it.
- NJOEM Wildfire Monitoring: Good for seeing road closures.
What Most People Get Wrong About NJ Wildfires
"It’s too cold for a forest fire."
Wrong. Some of the fastest-moving fires in Jersey history happened in late winter or early spring. This is because the "canopy" (the leaves on the trees) hasn't grown back yet. Without leaves, the sun hits the forest floor directly, baking the fuel. Add in a bit of "March Madness" wind, and you have a recipe for disaster.
Also, we need to talk about the "Jones Road" aftermath. That fire changed the way the state handles alerts. You'll notice more "Red Flag Warnings" coming from the National Weather Service in Mount Holly this year. They aren't crying wolf; they're trying to keep the 2025 records from being broken.
Practical Steps for NJ Residents
Look, if you live anywhere near the woods, "be prepared" isn't just a Boy Scout slogan. It's a survival strategy.
- Clean your gutters: It sounds boring, but most houses burn because an ember landed in a pile of dry leaves on the roof, not because a wall of flame hit the siding.
- Check the Fire Danger Level: Before you light that fire pit, check the NJ Forest Fire Service website. If it’s "High" or "Extreme," just don't do it.
- Clear a 30-foot "Defensible Space": Get the stacks of firewood away from your porch.
- Download the "Ready NJ" App: It’s actually decent for real-time local alerts.
If you see smoke and aren't sure where it's coming from, call 9-1-1 or 877-WARN-DEP. Don't assume someone else already did. The difference between a 1-acre brush fire and a 1,000-acre wildfire is usually about ten minutes of response time.
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Keep an eye on the wind direction. In New Jersey, a Northwest wind is usually the "dry" wind that brings the most fire danger. If the wind is coming off the ocean (East/Southeast), you can usually breathe a little easier.
Stay safe out there and keep those gutters clear.
Next Steps for You: - Check the New Jersey Forest Fire Service official dashboard to see if there are active prescribed burns in your specific zip code today.
- Sign up for NJ Alerts on your smartphone to get immediate notifications if an evacuation is ordered in your county.