New Jersey has declared a drought warning as dry conditions continue, asking residents to conserve water voluntarily.

The Wanaque Reservoir, located in Wanaque and Ringwood along the Wanaque River, has dropped to 45% of its full capacity as of Tuesday according to officials. This image shows the current condition on Wednesday, Nov. 13, 2024. Patti Sapone | NJ Advance Media

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.

New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy declared a drought warning for the state Wednesday, calling the more than 500 wildfires that erupted since October “staggering,” and coming as water supplies from streams and reservoirs have dropped precipitously with no relief forecast.

Gov. Phil Murphy has declared a drought warning for all of New Jersey, giving the state a stronger hand in working with water system operators and intensifying calls for water conservation by the public.

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 dry conditions are part of a broader drought across the Northeast. Nationally, October was one of the driest months on record.

New Jersey declared a drought warning Wednesday, the first time in eight years the state has warned residents of low water levels.

New Jersey has declared a drought warning as the state continues to grapple with “historically low precipitation, above-average temperatures, and deteriorating water-supply conditions."

Gov. Phil Murphy and the state Department of Environmental Protection have declared drought warning in effect for New Jersey. News 12's Jim Murdoch shares the details.