BRICK, N.J. (AP) — With wildfires burning after its driest September and October ever, New Jersey will issue a drought warning, a step that could eventually lead to mandatory water restrictions if significant rain doesn't fall soon.
The state Department of Environmental Protection held an online hearing Tuesday on the conditions. But they would not answer questions, including whether any part of the state is in danger of running out of drinking water or adequate water to fight fires, which are burning in nearly a half-dozen locations. The Associated Press left a message seeking comment from the department after the meeting.
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This Monday, Nov. 11, 2024 image shows the Wanaque Reservoir is in Ringwood, N.J. (AP Photo/Ted Shaffrey)
This Monday, Nov. 11, 2024 image shows the Wanaque Reservoir is in Ringwood, N.J. (AP Photo/Ted Shaffrey)
This Monday, Nov. 11, 2024 image shows the Wanaque Reservoir is in Ringwood, N.J. (AP Photo/Ted Shaffrey)
This Monday, Nov. 11, 2024 image shows the Wanaque Reservoir is in Ringwood, N.J. (AP Photo/Ted Shaffrey)
This Monday, Nov. 11, 2024 image shows the Wanaque Reservoir is in Ringwood, N.J. (AP Photo/Ted Shaffrey)
Low water levels at the Wanaque Reservoir in Ringwood, N.J., is shown Monday, Nov. 11, 2024. (AP Photo/Ted Shaffrey)
About an hour after it concluded, the department announced a press briefing for Wednesday “to discuss the state entering Drought Warning status as prolonged dry periods continue statewide.”
The New Jersey Forest Fire Service says conditions in the state are the driest they have been in nearly 120 years.
State geologist Steven Domber said water levels are declining across New Jersey.
“They are well below long-term averages, and they're trending down,” he said. “They will continue to drop over the coming weeks unless we get significant rainfall.”
He said about half the public water systems in New Jersey are experiencing close to normal demand for water, but 40% are seeing higher demand than usual.
It could take 10 inches (25 centimeters) of rain to meaningfully improve conditions in New Jersey, officials said. But forecasts don't call for that.
The combination of higher than normal temperatures, severely diminished rainfall and strong demand for water is stressing water supplies, said David Robinson, the state climatologist. He said New Jersey received 0.02 inches (a half-millimeter) of rain in October, when 4.19 inches (10.64 cm) is normal.
So far in November, the state has gotten a quarter to a half-inch (1.27 cm) of rain. The statewide average for the month is 4 inches (10.16 cm).
Since August, the state received 2 inches (5.08 cm) of rain when it should have gotten a foot (0.3 meters), Robinson said.
“A bleak picture is only worsening,” he said.
The state was under a drought watch Tuesday morning, which includes restrictions on most outdoor fires and calls for voluntary conservation. The next step, which the state is considering, a drought warning, imposes additional requirements on water systems, and asks for even more voluntary water-saving actions. The final step would be declaration of a drought emergency, under which businesses and homes would face mandatory water restrictions.
Several leaders of public water systems urged New Jersey to go straight to a drought emergency. Tim Eustace, executive director of the North Jersey District Water Supply Commission, said the Wanaque Reservoir is at about 45% of capacity.
“Using drinking water to water lawns is kind of crazy,” he said. “I would really like to move to a drought emergency so we can stop people from watering their lawns.”
New Jersey has been battling numerous wildfires in recent weeks, including at least five last week. The largest has burned nearly 5 1/2 square miles (14.24 square kilometers) on the New Jersey-New York border and led to the death of a New York parks worker. That fire was 20% contained as of Tuesday morning.
Conditions are also dry in New York, which issued a drought watch last week. Mayor Eric Adams mayor urged residents to take shorter showers, fix dripping faucets and otherwise conserve water.
Just 0.01 inches (0.02 cm) of rain fell last month on the city’s Central Park, where October normally brings about 4.4 inches (11.2 cm) of precipitation, National Weather Service records show. City Department of Environmental Protection Commissioner Rohit Aggarwala said it was the driest October in over 150 years of records.
Jeff Tober, manager of Rancocas Creek Farm in the bone-dry New Jersey Pinelands, said his farm has gotten 0.6 inches (1.52 cm) of rain in the last 87 days.
“It’s been pretty brutal,” he said.
Follow Wayne Parry on X: @WayneParryAC
This Monday, Nov. 11, 2024 image shows the Wanaque Reservoir is in Ringwood, N.J. (AP Photo/Ted Shaffrey)
This Monday, Nov. 11, 2024 image shows the Wanaque Reservoir is in Ringwood, N.J. (AP Photo/Ted Shaffrey)
This Monday, Nov. 11, 2024 image shows the Wanaque Reservoir is in Ringwood, N.J. (AP Photo/Ted Shaffrey)
This Monday, Nov. 11, 2024 image shows the Wanaque Reservoir is in Ringwood, N.J. (AP Photo/Ted Shaffrey)
This Monday, Nov. 11, 2024 image shows the Wanaque Reservoir is in Ringwood, N.J. (AP Photo/Ted Shaffrey)
Low water levels at the Wanaque Reservoir in Ringwood, N.J., is shown Monday, Nov. 11, 2024. (AP Photo/Ted Shaffrey)
CHRISTCHURCH, New Zealand (AP) — Kane Williamson completed his second half century of the match and passed 9,000 test runs Saturday as he led New Zealand's faltering resistance to England's control on the third day of the first test.
Williamson followed his first innings 93 with 61 and was one of five batsmen to fall before New Zealand erased England's 151-run first innings lead.
At stumps, New Zealand was 155-6, four runs ahead and with only bowlers yet to bat. Daryl Mitchell was 31 not out and Nathan Smith was on one. Brydon Carse had 3-22 and seven wickets for the match.
England applied ‘Bazball’ principles to take charge of the match almost from the resumption Saturday, dashing past New Zealand's first innings of 348 and building a commanding first innings lead at almost six runs per over.
Harry Brook resumed at 132 and went on to 171 in a 159-run partnership with Ben Stokes who was 37 not out overnight and finished with 80.
Dashing late contributions from Gus Atkinson who made 48 from 26 balls and Carse who made 33 from 24 with three monstrous sixes piled more pain on New Zealand late in its innings as it made 499 all out.
In total, England added 180 runs in 33 overs Saturday at a tempo set by Brook who posted his seventh century and third-highest score in tests and Stokes who reached his 35th half century from 105 balls, then added his next 30 runs from 41 deliveries.
New Zealand then lost both openers, Tom Latham (1) and Devon Conway (8), with only 23 runs on the board and Rachin Ravindra (24) with 46 runs still needed to erase England's lead. Ravindra continues to show enormous promise but was out to rash shots in both innings.
Williamson provided an example of application to the rest of the New Zealand top order, continuing in his usual unflappable manner even after he was struck on the helmet by Stokes when on 26.
In contrast, Ravindra was lured into an unnecessary shot at a short ball by Carse, knowing that the trap had been set and was sprung when he was caught in the deep by Jacob Bethell.
Williamson passed 9,000 test runs in his 103rd test at an average of 54 when he reached 26. He went on to a half century from 74 balls when New Zealand was 117-3.
He was out with the total at 133-4, trapped lbw by Chris Woakes, and wicketkeeper Tom Blundell was caught behind next ball as New Zealand slumped to 133-5, still 18 runs behind England.
Mitchell and Phillips finally erased the England lead in the 45th over, 20 minutes before stumps. But Phillips fell for 19 shortly before the close of play when New Zealand was 153-6, its lead only two runs and with only the bowlers to come.
Earlier, Brook was helped again Saturday by New Zealand's poor catching. He was dropped for the fifth time in his innings, by Glenn Phillips at gully from the bowling of Will O'Rourke, when he was 132.
Brook was dropped four times on the second day: on 18 by Phillips in the gully, on 41 by Tom Latham at first slip, on 70 by Devon Conway in the deep and on 112 by wicketkeeper Tom Blundell off Matt Henry.
He was finally out, caught by Blundell from the bowling of Matt Henry, in the sixth over of the second new ball when England was 381-6. Brooks had come to the crease when England was 45-3 before lunch on day two.
He turned around England's innings in a 151-run partnership with Ollie Pope (77) and led his team into a dominant position with Stokes.
AP cricket: https://apnews.com/hub/cricket
England's Brydon Carse bats during play on the third day of the first cricket test between England and New Zealand at Hagley Oval in Christchurch, New Zealand, Saturday, Nov. 30, 2024.(John Davidson/Photosport via AP)
New Zealand's Tom Latham reacts after he was dismissed by England's Chris Woakes, second right, during play on the third day of the first cricket test between England and New Zealand at Hagley Oval in Christchurch, New Zealand, Saturday, Nov. 30, 2024. (Andrew Cornaga/Photosport via AP)
Gus Atkinson of England reacts after taking a catch to dismiss New Zealand's Devon Conway during play on the third day of the first cricket test between England and New Zealand at Hagley Oval in Christchurch, New Zealand, Saturday, Nov. 30, 2024.(John Davidson/Photosport via AP)
New Zealand's Kane Williamson kicks at the ball during play on the third day of the first cricket test between England and New Zealand at Hagley Oval in Christchurch, New Zealand, Saturday, Nov. 30, 2024. (Andrew Cornaga/Photosport via AP)
New Zealand's Daryl Mitchell bats during play on the third day of the first cricket test between England and New Zealand at Hagley Oval in Christchurch, New Zealand, Saturday, Nov. 30, 2024. (Andrew Cornaga/Photosport via AP)
Gus Atkinson of England takes a catch to dismiss New Zealand's Devon Conway, left, during play on the third day of the first cricket test between England and New Zealand at Hagley Oval in Christchurch, New Zealand, Saturday, Nov. 30, 2024.(John Davidson/Photosport via AP)
England bowler Chris Woakes, second left, celebrates with teammates after taking the wicket of New Zealand's Kane Williamson during play on the third day of the first cricket test between England and New Zealand at Hagley Oval in Christchurch, New Zealand, Saturday, Nov. 30, 2024. (Andrew Cornaga/Photosport via AP)
New Zealand's Kane Williamson bats during play on the third day of the first cricket test between England and New Zealand at Hagley Oval in Christchurch, New Zealand, Saturday, Nov. 30, 2024. (Andrew Cornaga/Photosport via AP)
England bowler Chris Woakes runs down the wicket as he celebrates the dismissal of New Zealand batsman Tom Blundell, right, during play on the third day of the first cricket test between England and New Zealand at Hagley Oval in Christchurch, New Zealand, Saturday, Nov. 30, 2024. (Andrew Cornaga/Photosport via AP)
England's Ben Stokes bats during play on the third day of the first cricket test between England and New Zealand at Hagley Oval in Christchurch, New Zealand, Saturday, Nov. 30, 2024. (Andrew Cornaga/Photosport via AP)
England's Ben Stokes bats during play on the third day of the first cricket test between England and New Zealand at Hagley Oval in Christchurch, New Zealand, Saturday, Nov. 30, 2024. (Andrew Cornaga/Photosport via AP)
England's Ben Stokes dives to to make his ground during play on the third day of the first cricket test between England and New Zealand at Hagley Oval in Christchurch, New Zealand, Saturday, Nov. 30, 2024. (Chris Symes/Photosport via AP)
England's Harry Brook reacts after scoring a 150 runs during play on the third day of the first cricket test between England and New Zealand at Hagley Oval in Christchurch, New Zealand, Saturday, Nov. 30, 2024. (Andrew Cornaga/Photosport via AP)
England's Harry Brook hits a six during play on the third day of the first cricket test between England and New Zealand at Hagley Oval in Christchurch, New Zealand, Saturday, Nov. 30, 2024. (Andrew Cornaga/Photosport via AP)
England's Harry Brook, right, and teammate Ben Stokes run between the wickets during play on the third day of the first cricket test between England and New Zealand at Hagley Oval in Christchurch, New Zealand, Saturday, Nov. 30, 2024.(John Davidson/Photosport via AP)
England's Harry Brook bats during play on the third day of the first cricket test between England and New Zealand at Hagley Oval in Christchurch, New Zealand, Saturday, Nov. 30, 2024.(John Davidson/Photosport via AP)
England's Harry Brook reacts as he leaves the field after he was dismissed for 171 runs during play on the third day of the first cricket test between England and New Zealand at Hagley Oval in Christchurch, New Zealand, Saturday, Nov. 30, 2024.(John Davidson/Photosport via AP)
England's Harry Brook gestures to the crowd as he leaves the field after he was dismissed for a 171 runs during play on the third day of the first cricket test between England and New Zealand at Hagley Oval in Christchurch, New Zealand, Saturday, Nov. 30, 2024. (Andrew Cornaga/Photosport via AP)
England's Ben Stokes bats during play on the third day of the first cricket test between England and New Zealand at Hagley Oval in Christchurch, New Zealand, Saturday, Nov. 30, 2024.(John Davidson/Photosport via AP)
