BETHLEHEM, Pa. – The Lehigh Valley is under a red flag warning Wednesday, and officials say critical fire weather conditions are expected.
The warning, upgraded from a fire weather watch, comes as firefighters battle a massive 500-acre forest fire in Ocean County, New Jersey.
- The Lehigh Valley is under a red flag warning on Wednesday
- It comes as a massive forest fire burns in New Jersey
- The fire erupted Tuesday night and is burning on federal, state and private property
- As of 10 a.m. Wednesday, 50% of the fire has been contained
That fire erupted Tuesday night, and the New Jersey Forest Fire Service and Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurt Fire Department continue to battle the blaze burning on federal, state and private property in Manchester Township, which has reached 3,859 acres in size, officials said Wednesday morning.
As of 10 a.m., 50% of the fire in Manchester Township has been contained, according to the officials.
While the evacuation has been lifted, 20 structures are still under the threat.
"Last night residents who evacuated were relocated to the Manchester Township High School and were being supported by the American Red Cross [and] others," an NJFFS tweet writes.
WILDFIRE UPDATE: Manchester Township – Jimmy’s Waterhole Fire
— New Jersey Forest Fire Service (@njdepforestfire) April 12, 2023
The New Jersey Forest Fire Service has made substantial progress in containing a wildfire in Manchester Township on federal, state and private property which has reached 3,859 acres in size and is 50% contained. pic.twitter.com/zr2Q1C7m2f
Horicon Avenue, Beckerville East Road and Beckerville West Road are closed. But Route 539 and Route 70 have reopened.
While Route 539 and Route 70 have reopened, Forest Fire Service said its "personnel will continue working to improve containment lines along these roads." It urges drivers to stay alert when driving through smoke conditions.
No injuries have been reported and the cause of the fire is under investigation, Forest Fire Service reported.
Aerial footage captures a massive forest fire burning in Manchester Township, New Jersey pic.twitter.com/OcufYe5AJR
— Reuters (@Reuters) April 12, 2023
Red flag warning
The red flag warning covers a massive part of the Mid-Atlantic region, stretching from Northeast Pennsylvania down to Baltimore, Maryland.
Officials say there will be increased risk for rapid wildfire growth and spread, with relative humidity as low as 27% and winds gusting to about 25 mph.
A red flag warning is issued when the risk of fire danger is highest, and residents are urged to be extremely cautious with any open flame.
Cigarettes or matches should not be tossed out of vehicles because they may ignite dry grass on the side of the road, the weather service said. Outdoor power equipment that creates sparks should not be used, and activities with open flames or sparks should be avoided.
Lehigh Valley weather
The watches (and potential warnings) come as the Lehigh Valley gets set to see the mercury soar, likely cracking the 80-degree mark on Wednesday.
Temperatures on Thursday and Friday also could push into the mid- to upper 80s, meaning we’ll see an elevated threat for fire spread through the rest of the week.
The pattern should break down Saturday, with rain expected and high temperatures falling back into the 70s.
