Weather service says gusty winds will continue throughout the day on Tuesday Watch video
A combination of gusty winds and very dry air has prompted the National Weather Service to issue a wildfire alert for 11 counties in New Jersey.
Northerly winds were gusting between 20 mph and 30 mph Tuesday morning, making it feel more like February than April. Steady winds will persist into the afternoon, with frequent gusts up to 25 mph, while relative humidity will be dropping throughout the afternoon, the weather service said.
The fire alert is effective all day Tuesday through 9 a.m. Wednesday in these counties: Atlantic, Camden, Cape May, Cumberland, Gloucester, Mercer, Middlesex, Ocean and Salem, as well as in western Monmouth County and northwestern and southeastern Burlington County.
"Although precipitation occurred in the past 24 hours, the fire weather risk today is mainly for areas that did not receive appreciable amounts," the weather service said in its alert. "In these drier locations, fuels could be marginally favorable for an enhanced fire weather threat."
Whenever the weather service issues a fire risk, officials advise campers, hikers and drivers to be extra careful when building or extinguishing campfires or discarding cigarettes.
Len Melisurgo may be reached at LMelisurgo@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @LensReality. Find NJ.com on Facebook.
