Parched fields and damaging blazes: The Northeast drought and wildfires in photos

Drought has parched the Northeast United States for weeks, draining reservoirs, priming the landscape for damaging wildfires and pushing politicians to implement water-saving measures. 

More than 58% of the Northeast is in moderate drought or worse, according to the U.S. Drought Monitor. The drought is particularly extreme in New Jersey, which has seen its driest conditions in nearly 120 years. Some areas have experienced 40 days without measurable rainfall.

Little more rainfall is in the near-term forecast. 

“Two words tend to come to mind. One is ‘unprecedented’ and the other is ‘remarkable,'” said Dave Robinson, New Jersey’s state climatologist. 

In New Jersey, more than 500 fires have started since Oct. 1, largely due to abnormally dry conditions. Gov. Phil Murphy on Wednesday declared a drought warning and asked residents to do everything they could to conserve water. 

In New York City, brush fires scorched portions of Prospect and Inwood Hill parks over the past week. Earlier this month, Mayor Eric Adams issued a drought watch, ordering city agencies to prepare water conservation plans.

Here are the photos that tell the story of how this has played out for people in the Northeast.