New Jersey is increasing fire restriction levels statewide amid the ongoing dry spell

TRENTON, NJ – Foresters in New Jersey have raised the state's wildfire restriction level to Level 3 as a borderline historic drought continues to dry out the Garden State.

Level 3, the highest level of the three-tier system, means all fires in forest areas are banned unless they are contained to an elevated gas or electric furnace.

Below-average rainfall in recent months has caused forest beds to dry out and become natural tinderboxes of freshly fallen leaves and other dry wood.

The New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection says wildfire danger across the state is at the “Very High” level – the second highest level.

The state recently issued a drought warning urging residents to conserve water as streams and streams continue to be depleted.

The dry spell, which forecasters said began in October and will continue into next month, is one of the longest dry spells on record in Philadelphia, Trenton and Wilmington.

Additionally, another week or two of dry conditions would break National Weather Service records from the late 19th and early 20th centuries.