New Jersey's drought is becoming severe in more areas. Red flag fire warnings were issued.

New Jersey's drought situation has worsened over the past week, with 69% of the state currently experiencing moderate drought and nearly a third of the state currently experiencing severe drought.

That's the bad news from the latest national drought status report, released Thursday morning.

And that's not surprising, considering New Jersey has had a long streak of rainless days and several months of unusually dry weather.

The combination of extremely dry brush, low humidity and gusty winds expected this afternoon has triggered a red flag fire warning in 11 counties, including parts of Central New Jersey and all of South Jersey.

The warning is in effect Thursday from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. and urges residents, campers and park visitors to use extra caution as the risk of rapidly advancing brush fires or major wildfires is high.

Most areas of New Jersey have now had more than three consecutive weeks with no rain or just a trace of rain, and the National Weather Service is forecasting another week of no rain or with very little rain.

The lack of rain in October is due to one of the three driest Septembers ever recorded in New Jersey. Rainfall statistics date back to the late 19th century.

Drought monitoring and fire restrictions

Last week, the worsening drought situation prompted Gov. Phil Murphy's office to declare a drought watch and ask residents and businesses across the state to voluntarily conserve water.

State officials said if the drought continues, the drought warning could be upgraded to a more serious drought warning or a rare drought emergency.

These designations would allow the state to impose mandatory water use restrictions on homeowners and businesses to ease the burden on water supplies.

On Monday, state officials imposed significant restrictions on outdoor burning as the ongoing drought has sparked more wildfires than usual this month.

The so-called Level 3 fire restrictions are the highest level of regulations. Under these restrictions, which apply in all 21 counties, lighting an open fire is not permitted unless it is an elevated stove or grill that uses only propane, natural gas or electricity, the New Jersey Forest Fire said Service with.

Restrictions also include backyard fire pits. State officials said fire pits that use electricity, propane or natural gas are allowed, but fire pits that use other fire sources such as wood or charcoal are not allowed while fire restrictions remain in place.

It is unclear whether liquid fuel stoves that use “white gas” are banned under government fire restrictions.

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