2024 Northeastern United States wildfires: Difference between revisions

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	The '''2024 Northeast wildfires''' were a series of destructive wildfires in the ] in the autumn of 2024. Many of these wildfires were caused and worsened by the ongoing drought in the region.		The '''2024 Northeast wildfires''' were a series of destructive wildfires in the ] in the autumn of 2024. Many of these wildfires were caused and worsened by the ongoing drought in the region.
	== Background ==		== Background ==
	Drought in the Northeast began to form following a dry September in 2024. September 2024 was the driest on record at ] and ], with numerous other sites recording a top-10 dry September across the region.<ref>{{cite web \|title=Record Dryness in September \|url=https://www.nrcc.cornell.edu/services/blog/2024/10/01/index.html \|website=Northeast Regional Climate Center \|access-date=November 11, 2024}}</ref> Drought significantly expanded in the Northeast following a record-dry October, which in many places, was also the driest month on record. ] reached a record long rainless streak during this time.<ref>{{cite news \|title=Drought expands in the East following exceptionally dry October \|url=https://www.climate.gov/news-features/event-tracker/drought-expands-east-following-exceptionally-dry-october \|access-date=November 11, 2024 \|publisher=Climate.gov \|date=November 7, 2024}}</ref> High temperatures in the Northeast further worsened drought conditions, with much of ] reaching a record high temperature on November 6.<ref>{{cite news \|title=Boston, Worcester set record high temps, fueling brush fire concerns \|url=https://www.nbcboston.com/news/local/boston-worcester-set-record-high-temps-fueling-brush-fire-concerns/3543647/?amp=1 \|access-date=November 11, 2024 \|publisher=NBC Boston \|date=November 6, 2024}}</ref> By November 7, over half of the ] was in moderate drought, with three-quarters of ] in severe drought. Extreme drought had also affected portions of New Jersey, ] and ].<ref>{{cite news \|title=Maps show drought and fire conditions in Northeast states \|url=https://www.cbsnews.com/amp/news/maps-drought-fire-conditions-northeast/ \|access-date=November 11, 2024 \|publisher=CBS News \|date=November 9, 2024}}</ref> These extremely dry conditions allowed for fires to form across the Northeast.<ref>{{cite news \|title=Drought plagues majority of Northeast as dry, windy weather raises fire risk \|url=https://www.nbcnews.com/news/amp/rcna178666 \|access-date=November 11, 2024 \|publisher=] \|date=November 7, 2024}}</ref>		Drought in the Northeast began to form following a dry September in 2024. September 2024 was the driest on record at ] and ], with numerous other sites recording a top-10 dry September across the region.<ref>{{cite web \|title=Record Dryness in September \|url=https://www.nrcc.cornell.edu/services/blog/2024/10/01/index.html \|website=Northeast Regional Climate Center \|access-date=November 11, 2024}}</ref> Drought significantly expanded in the Northeast following a record-dry October, which in many places, was also the driest month on record. ] reached a record long rainless streak during this time.<ref>{{cite news \|title=Drought expands in the East following exceptionally dry October \|url=https://www.climate.gov/news-features/event-tracker/drought-expands-east-following-exceptionally-dry-october \|access-date=November 11, 2024 \|publisher=Climate.gov \|date=November 7, 2024}}</ref> High temperatures in the Northeast further worsened drought conditions, with much of ] reaching a record high temperature on November 6.<ref>{{cite news \|title=Boston, Worcester set record high temps, fueling brush fire concerns \|url=https://www.nbcboston.com/news/local/boston-worcester-set-record-high-temps-fueling-brush-fire-concerns/3543647/?amp=1 \|access-date=November 11, 2024 \|publisher=NBC Boston \|date=November 6, 2024}}</ref> By November 7, over half of the ] was in moderate drought, with three-quarters of ] in severe drought. Extreme drought had also affected portions of New Jersey, ] and ].<ref>{{cite news \|title=Maps show drought and fire conditions in Northeast states \|url=https://www.cbsnews.com/amp/news/maps-drought-fire-conditions-northeast/ \|access-date=November 11, 2024 \|publisher=CBS News \|date=November 9, 2024}}</ref> These extremely dry conditions allowed for fires to form and spread across the Northeast.<ref>{{cite news \|title=Drought plagues majority of Northeast as dry, windy weather raises fire risk \|url=https://www.nbcnews.com/news/amp/rcna178666 \|access-date=November 11, 2024 \|publisher=] \|date=November 7, 2024}}</ref>

	== Summary and impacts ==		== Summary and impacts ==
	While wildfires in the Northeast began as early as July 5, the record dryness of September and October allowed them to significantly expand. From October 1 to November 11, over 537 reports of wildfires were received in New Jersey, with 60 in ], burning 4500 and 2100 acres, respectively.<ref>{{cite news \|title=Historic drought fuels blazes across Northeast as wildfires burn on both coasts \|url=https://www.nbcnews.com/news/amp/rcna179548 \|access-date=November 11, 2024 \|publisher=NBC News \|date=November 11, 2024}}</ref> Across the state of Connecticut in late October, 70 wildfires were reported.<ref>{{cite news \|title=70 fires and just short of a drought – why is this happening in CT? \|url=https://ctmirror.org/2024/10/31/berlin-ct-wildfire-drought/ \|access-date=November 11, 2024 \|publisher=CTMirror \|date=October 31, 2024}}</ref> One such fire, the Hawthorne Fire, resulted in a firefighter being killed on October 22, with two others being injured.<ref>{{cite news \|title=2 firefighters injured as Hawthorne Fire continues for an eighth day \|url=https://www.nbcconnecticut.com/news/local/2-firefighters-injured-as-hawthorne-fire-continues-for-an-eighth-day/3419583/?amp=1 \|access-date=November 12, 2024 \|publisher=NBC Connecticut \|date=October 28, 2024}}</ref> By November 1, a statewide burn ban was issued in ].<ref>{{cite news \|title=Maryland Department of Natural Resources Enacts Statewide Burn Ban \|url=https://news.maryland.gov/dnr/2024/11/01/maryland-department-of-natural-resources-enacts-statewide-burn-ban/ \|access-date=November 11, 2024 \|publisher=Maryland Department of Natural Resources \|date=November 1, 2024}}</ref>		While wildfires in the Northeast began as early as July 5, the record dryness of September and October allowed them to significantly expand. From October 1 to November 11, over 537 reports of wildfires were received in New Jersey, with 60 in ], burning 4500 and 2100 acres, respectively.<ref>{{cite news \|title=Historic drought fuels blazes across Northeast as wildfires burn on both coasts \|url=https://www.nbcnews.com/news/amp/rcna179548 \|access-date=November 11, 2024 \|publisher=NBC News \|date=November 11, 2024}}</ref> Across the state of Connecticut in late October, 70 wildfires were reported.<ref>{{cite news \|title=70 fires and just short of a drought – why is this happening in CT? \|url=https://ctmirror.org/2024/10/31/berlin-ct-wildfire-drought/ \|access-date=November 11, 2024 \|publisher=CTMirror \|date=October 31, 2024}}</ref> One such fire, the Hawthorne Fire, resulted in a firefighter being killed on October 22, with two others being injured.<ref>{{cite news \|title=2 firefighters injured as Hawthorne Fire continues for an eighth day \|url=https://www.nbcconnecticut.com/news/local/2-firefighters-injured-as-hawthorne-fire-continues-for-an-eighth-day/3419583/?amp=1 \|access-date=November 12, 2024 \|publisher=NBC Connecticut \|date=October 28, 2024}}</ref> By November 1, a statewide burn ban was issued in ].<ref>{{cite news \|title=Maryland Department of Natural Resources Enacts Statewide Burn Ban \|url=https://news.maryland.gov/dnr/2024/11/01/maryland-department-of-natural-resources-enacts-statewide-burn-ban/ \|access-date=November 11, 2024 \|publisher=Maryland Department of Natural Resources \|date=November 1, 2024}}</ref>

Revision as of 14:50, 16 November 2024

2024 Northeastern United States wildfires
Statistics
Total fires	400+
Burned area	6,600+ acres
Impacts
Deaths	2

The 2024 Northeast wildfires were a series of destructive wildfires in the Northeastern United States in the autumn of 2024. Many of these wildfires were caused and worsened by the ongoing drought in the region.

Background

Drought in the Northeast began to form following a dry September in 2024. September 2024 was the driest on record at Islip, New York and Wilmington, Delaware, with numerous other sites recording a top-10 dry September across the region. Drought significantly expanded in the Northeast following a record-dry October, which in many places, was also the driest month on record. Philadelphia reached a record long rainless streak during this time. High temperatures in the Northeast further worsened drought conditions, with much of New England reaching a record high temperature on November 6. By November 7, over half of the New York metropolitan area was in moderate drought, with three-quarters of New Jersey in severe drought. Extreme drought had also affected portions of New Jersey, Maryland and Pennsylvania. These extremely dry conditions allowed for fires to form and spread across the Northeast.

Summary and impacts

While wildfires in the Northeast began as early as July 5, the record dryness of September and October allowed them to significantly expand. From October 1 to November 11, over 537 reports of wildfires were received in New Jersey, with 60 in New York, burning 4500 and 2100 acres, respectively. Across the state of Connecticut in late October, 70 wildfires were reported. One such fire, the Hawthorne Fire, resulted in a firefighter being killed on October 22, with two others being injured. By November 1, a statewide burn ban was issued in Maryland.

Following multiple wildfires in Prospect Park, mayor Eric Adams banned all grilling in New York City on November 9. That weekend, the Jackson Creek wildfire expanded into Orange County, New York and an 18-year old firefighter was killed trying to put out the fire. The wildfire also led to businesses and roads being closed. The wildfires also led to poor air quality across the region, with the air quality index reaching 201 in New York City late on November 9. While light rain fell in New Jersey from November 10 to 11th, including up to 0.23 in (5.8 mm) in Trenton and 0.19 in (4.8 mm) in Newark, the rain failed to provide much relief for the wildfires. New York City suffered a record number of wildfires from October 29 to November 12. Amtrak service was suspended for 24 hours on November 12-13 between Penn Station and New Haven, Connecticut due to brush fires.