New Jersey bans bonfires and fireworks due to very high fire danger warnings

LIVINGSTON, N.J. (PIX11) — New Jersey fire officials are reminding residents of restrictions in place as the fire danger remains ‘very high’ across the state.

Bonfires and fireworks of any kind are banned statewide.

Fire pits that use wood or charcoal are also banned. Elevated fire pits powered by propane, natural gas, or electricity are permitted.

“It’s gonna take a lot of rain to get us back to where it’s not going to be as explosive fire behavior as we’re experiencing now,” said George Efinger with the New Jersey Forest Fire Service.

Efinger said there has been no measurable rainfall for 28 days, creating extremely dry and hazardous conditions. He warns that anything that sparks runs the risk of catching fire, including cigarettes and machinery.

“Two weeks ago in Hopewell, I had a piece of chain being dragged by a car and it set an acre and a half on fire,” said Efinger.

A nearly 200-acre wildfire broke out in Livingston on Saturday afternoon, prompting the evacuation of two strip malls as a precaution.

“Any little spark can ignore a fire and it can be catastrophic,” said Livingston Fire Chief Christopher Mullins.

Livingston Mayor Al Anthony said no one was injured and no buildings were damaged. Mutual aid from every town in Essex County and some towns in Morris County assisted Livingston firefighters.

The cause of the Livingston wildfire fire remains under investigation.

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