Smoke from Wharton State Forest wildfire sparks air quality alert for most of NJ

    An Air Quality Alert is in effect for most of New Jersey as smoke billowing from the Wharton State Forest wildfire continues to travel as far north as New York City.

    The alert covers central and northern portions of New Jersey, including Burlington and Ocean counties and areas to the north. 

    Due to unhealthy levels of fine particulates, “sensitive individuals, including the young, elderly, and persons with respiratory diseases such as asthma, should avoid strenuous outdoor activity,” the alert warns.

    But conditions will improve with onshore winds and rain later Monday, according to the National Weather Service.

    • WHYY thanks our sponsors — become a WHYY sponsor

    WHYY is your source for fact-based, in-depth journalism and information. As a nonprofit organization, we rely on financial support from readers like you. Please give today.

    Want a digest of WHYY’s programs, events & stories? Sign up for our weekly newsletter.

    Together we can reach 100% of WHYY’s fiscal year goal