Topline

A series of wildfires in New Jersey are threatening dozens of structures in the state, as the National Weather Service warned of “critical” fire conditions in the Northeast, including in New York City, where officials have issued an air quality warning.

Key Facts

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Surprising Fact

New York City and Brooklyn have experienced much warmer temperatures than normal, according to the University of Albany. Five of the last eight days have had high temperatures that were nearly 20 degrees above average.

Tangent

The Mountain Fire in Ventura County, California, has burned more than 20,600 acres and is 17% contained as of Saturday, according to the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection. Evacuation orders and warnings are in effect for more than a dozen areas near the wildfire, as California officials warn of an “immediate threat to life.”

Key Background

The National Weather Service warned earlier this week of an increased risk of wildfires throughout the Northeast, including an area that stretches from Massachusetts to the northern edge of Virginia and West Virginia. Multiple brush fires have occurred throughout Massachusetts as the region experiences dry conditions and little to no rain. The National Weather Service previously forecast a high likelihood for La Niña to develop in the U.S. through November and persist until March. This climate pattern normally results in above-average precipitation in the Pacific Northwest, Midwest and Northeast, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Last winter—impacted by El Niño—was the warmest on record in the U.S., with temperatures across the lower 48 states measuring 5.4 degrees higher than average, the NOAA said.

Further Reading

ForbesLa Niña Will Likely Impact US Weather This Winter—Here’s What To Expect