00:00In New Jersey, what's typically a mid-October to Thanksgiving concern is already underway a month ahead of schedule.
00:08I believe we had the same conversation as we went in the fall last year.
00:12And I'm pretty sure she was standing in the same spot.
00:14I do believe.
00:14Abnormally dry conditions on moderate drought are fueling the risk.
00:18Our Allie Reed live this morning from Medford, New Jersey, on what the Forest Fire Service is doing to prepare.
00:24You know how much I love Medford, Allie.
00:30Well, Ari, Bernie, you picked up on something really important here.
00:33I was actually here live last year from the Medford Fire Tower.
00:37This is one of a number fire of towers across the state of New Jersey that is used actively on a weekly basis here.
00:45There are men and women that go up to the top there that are keeping an eye out for a number of these wildfires.
00:51And right now is so important to do so.
00:53And it was in this location last year, just minutes after we broke down being live for the morning on AccuWeather Early,
01:00that one of the crew members on top of the fire here actually spotted a major wildfire here that happened in the state.
01:08Now, conversations that we've been having with local officials here is that, yeah, we are ahead of schedule.
01:15That right now it is a major concern for wildfires across the state of New Jersey.
01:20It is abnormally dry, and they're worried that this could potentially be another very busy wildfire season ahead of them.
01:29Now, I want to take this in video.
01:30This just gives you an idea as to the conditions that we're seeing really in wooded conditions in those forested areas to show you how dry it really is right now.
01:40The Forest Fire Service says they have already started pre-positioning extra personnel in vulnerable areas,
01:45keeping more engines and equipment staffed, and stepping up public outreach to stress prevention here.
01:51The ground across much of New Jersey, already very dry as we said, right?
01:55But despite some scattered rain, it hasn't been enough to erase weeks and essentially months of abnormally dry weather,
02:02with pockets of moderate drought persisting across the state.
02:05That lack of moisture leaves grass, brush, and even the colorful fall leaves on the ground much more flammable.
02:11Now, officials say the fire season typically ramps up in mid-October, once the bulk of leaves have dropped.
02:17But this year, conditions are running a full month ahead of schedule, meaning the fire danger is already here.
02:24We had several fires over the holiday weekend just last week.
02:29We've had sporadic scattered rain, and again, it will take significant amount of rainfall.
02:38So even if we're not in a declared drought, you know, the compounded effect of continual drying with leaf drop
02:48and the fact that the vegetation is losing its moisture, you know, are going to be factors that contribute to fire spread, fire starts.
02:59And fire officials stress there's no real off-season for the New Jersey Forest Fire Service.
03:05Even as they prepare for a busy fall here at home, crews are also assisting in Colorado, Washington, and Montana.
03:14They were also in California for a long period as well, sharing resources and expertise to battle some of the nation's largest wildfires.
03:21It's a reminder that wildfire risk is not just a western issue, but one that is continuously growing here in the northeast as well.
03:29And that's important to know.
03:30You know, I got talking to these crews yesterday.
03:32They tell me that even out west, when traditionally they would go in the summer months when it's a lot quieter here,
03:39so we're talking July and August, they said this year they were even responding earlier than usual
03:45in places like Montana and Colorado and California as early as June.
03:50Now, thankfully, they have the resources in the summer to do so.
03:53Now, the goal is, is that once we get into the fall time, should it be as busy as it was last year in the state of New Jersey,
04:00it means that some of those crews out west can be able to be deployed out this way, too.
04:05And that is something that they are keeping in mind, guys, as they're leading into this season.
04:09They expect, with the dry conditions here, you can kind of see it around us, too, the start of it,
04:14as the leaves begin to fall, that it's going to be a tough one here in the state.
04:18So, my concern is, and we were just talking with Brandon, the first front with some wind,
04:24and if things don't moisten up, I think we're going to have some problems here.
04:28So, it's better to be ready and be prepared.
04:31Allie Reed, sounding the alarm for Milford, New Jersey, this morning.
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