The weather on Tuesday will make it much tougher for the crews continuing to battle the Jennings Creek Wildfire, which is eating up 3,500 acres of wooded land in the northern part of Passaic County that abuts the New York State border.
"An increased risk of fire spread will develop on Tuesday," warned the New Jersey Forest Fire Service.
The northwest winds gusting as high as 35 mph, combined with dry fuels and low relative humidity, will support the spread of any fires that ignite, according to the fire service.
"Due to the combination of gusty winds and marginal relative humidity values, these conditions could support the rapid spread of any fires that ignite, which could quickly become difficult to control," the warning from the fire service reads.
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"Outdoor burning is strongly discouraged. Be sure to properly extinguish or dispose of any potential ignition sources, including smoking materials such as cigarette butts," the fire service posted online.
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On Monday night, the fire service said a strong focus would continue to be placed on "holding the eastern containment line in preparation" for Tuesday's forecasted weather.
As of late Monday night, the wildfire in West Milford, New Jersey and Orange County, New York had reached a size of 3,500 burning acres with 20% of it contained, said the New Jersey Forest Fire Service.
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The Forest Fire Service officials said the Jennings Creek Wildfire is expected to grow to at least 5,000 acres before reaching 100% containment. However, the most recent mapping indicates the fire currently spans 3,500 acres in both New Jersey and New York.
The fire has been burning since Friday night.
Dry conditions that date to early September have increased the risk of wildfires in the state.
The fire origin remains under investigation.
Read more stories related to the wildfire.
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