The 5 Essential Maps Tracking New Jersey Fires: Current Danger And 2025 Wildfire Updates

The "map of NJ fires" is a crucial, ever-changing tool for residents and visitors, providing real-time data on active incidents, smoke plumes, and, most importantly, the current fire danger rating across the state. As of Wednesday, December 17, 2025, the New Jersey Forest Fire Service (NJFFS) continues to monitor conditions, especially following a notably active 2025 wildfire season that saw major incidents like the Jones Road and Mines Spung fires reshape parts of the critical Pine Barrens ecosystem. Understanding how to interpret these official maps is the first line of defense for property and public safety. This guide provides a comprehensive breakdown of the official resources, the metrics used by the NJFFS to determine risk, and the specific details of the most recent significant wildfires, ensuring you have the most up-to-date, authoritative information available for New Jersey's vast forest and wildland areas.

The Critical 2025 Wildfire Season: The Jones Road and Mines Spung Incidents

The year 2025 highlighted the severe threat of wildfires in New Jersey, particularly within the state's extensive forest lands. Two major incidents, in particular, dominated the headlines and demonstrated the rapid spread potential in dry conditions.

The Jones Road Fire: Ocean County's Major Incident

The Jones Road Fire stands out as one of the most significant wildfires of the 2025 season. It broke out on Tuesday, April 22, 2025, in Barnegat Township, located in Ocean County, New Jersey. The blaze quickly grew, fueled by dry conditions in the region known as the Pine Barrens. The fire started near a wildlife management area close to Waretown, offering a stark reminder of the delicate balance between the environment and fire risk. Within just two days, the fast-moving wildfire had prompted extensive response efforts and was closely monitored by agencies like NOAA satellites. The incident was so significant that it was the second major forest fire in the region in less than a week, underscoring the severity of the spring fire season.

The Mines Spung Wildfire: The Wharton State Forest Battle

Another major fire that required extensive mapping and response was the Mines Spung Wildfire. This fire ignited on June 13, 2025, deep within New Jersey's Pine Barrens. The Mines Spung Wildfire grew into a massive firestorm, eventually burning over 6,400 acres of the ecologically important Wharton State Forest. The sheer size of this wildfire made it a critical incident for the New Jersey Forest Fire Service (NJFFS) and required a massive, coordinated effort to contain it and protect surrounding communities. The event is a key example of how a single spark can rapidly reshape the landscape of the Pine Barrens.

How to Read the New Jersey Fire Map: Understanding Current Danger Ratings

The most important data point on any NJ fire map is the Fire Danger Rating. This rating is the official assessment by the New Jersey Forest Fire Service (NJFFS) and is the authoritative source for current conditions and burning restrictions. The state is typically divided into three main regions for fire danger assessment: Northern NJ, Central NJ, and Southern NJ.

Key Metrics on the NJFFS Dashboard

When viewing the official NJFFS Fire Danger Dashboard, you will encounter two primary metrics that inform the overall danger level: 1. Keetch-Byram Drought Index (KBDI): This index is a measure of the dryness of the soil and duff (organic material on the forest floor). It is a cumulative index, meaning it tracks long-term drought conditions. A higher KBDI value indicates a higher probability of severe fire activity. As of December 17, 2025, the KBDI was reported at 209 in Northern NJ, but 0 in Central and Southern NJ, which is typical for the late fall/early winter in the southern regions. 2. BUILDUP Index: This metric reflects the accumulation of moisture-free fuel available for burning. It is a key factor in predicting fire behavior. The buildup index for December 17, 2025, was 12 in Northern NJ, 7 in Central NJ, and 18 in Southern NJ, indicating varying levels of available fuel across the state. These metrics are used to determine the official fire danger level, which ranges from "Low" to "Extreme," and dictates whether or not open burning is permitted in a given area.

Accessing Real-Time NJ Fire Maps and Incident Dashboards

The New Jersey Forest Fire Service and other official state agencies provide several live mapping resources that track active incidents, smoke, and real-time conditions. Knowing where to look is essential for staying informed.

1. NJ Forest Fire Service (NJFFS) Wildfire Risk Assessment Portal

This is the primary, authoritative source for all fire-related data in New Jersey. It provides the current Fire Danger Ratings for the Northern, Central, and Southern sections of the state, along with burning restrictions. The portal also features a "Risk Explorer" to assess wildfire risk in specific areas.

2. NJOEM GIS Wildfire Monitoring Dashboard

The New Jersey Office of Emergency Management (NJOEM) maintains a GIS dashboard. This tool is critical for tracking current active incidents in New Jersey. It provides a visual map display, indicating the number of current wildfires being tracked in the display area. This is an essential resource for emergency managers and the public during an active fire event.

3. Wildland Fire Interagency Geospatial Service (WFIGS)

While not specific to New Jersey, the WFIGS provides data that is often integrated into state-level maps and national wildfire smoke maps. This service is a key source for tracking the latest wildfires and smoke information with data that is updated hourly, offering a broader context for New Jersey's air quality and fire activity.

4. ArcGIS StoryMaps: Seven-Day Wildfire Tracking

The New Jersey Current Wildfires ArcGIS StoryMaps resource presents the locations and perimeters of wildfires over the past seven days. This map uses flame symbols whose size is proportional to the number of firefighters assigned to the incident, giving a quick visual assessment of the resource commitment to a specific blaze. This is invaluable for understanding the most recent, large-scale suppression efforts.

5. Commercial Wildfire Explorer Maps (Map of Fire, Cornea.is)

Several third-party services, such as Map of Fire and Wildfire Explorer (Cornea.is), aggregate data from official sources to provide a user-friendly, live fire map. These maps allow users to track fire spread, intensity, and smoke across New Jersey in real-time. While useful for visualization, always cross-reference critical safety information with the official NJFFS or NJOEM dashboards.

The Importance of Prescribed Burning and Forest Management

The New Jersey Forest Fire Service's primary response area is vast, covering approximately 3.72 million acres, which is about 77% of the state's total land area. Managing this immense area requires proactive measures beyond just fighting active fires. The NJFFS routinely plans prescribed burns yearly, typically between October 1 and March 31. These controlled burns are a vital forest management tool designed to reduce the buildup of combustible fuel on the forest floor. By intentionally burning under controlled conditions, the risk of catastrophic, fast-moving wildfires—like the ones seen in 2025—is significantly reduced. Prescribed burning helps protect communities, maintain forest health, and is a critical component of the state's overall fire mitigation strategy. Staying informed by regularly checking the official NJFFS Fire Danger Dashboard and understanding the metrics like the KBDI and BUILDUP index is the most effective way for New Jersey residents to prepare for and react to the ongoing threat of wildfires.