This Monday, numerous Northeast states faced wildfires as conditions remained favorable for new outbreaks, even after some regions received their first rain in over a month.

In New Jersey, crews were engaged in fighting the Jennings Creek fire near the New Jersey-New York border, which had expanded to 3,500 acres and was 20% under control, as reported by officials on Monday evening.

This past weekend, a tragic incident occurred when 18-year-old Dariel Vasquez, a state parks worker, lost his life due to a falling tree while combating flames in Orange County’s Sterling Forest.

Numerous fires occurred over the weekend across New Jersey, New York, Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, and Connecticut, largely driven by exceptionally dry conditions. Rainfall over Sunday night into Monday only marginally alleviated the situation, providing a mere quarter-inch of moisture.

Here’s a closer look at the wildfires, their causes, and what the forecast holds for rain:

Why Are Wildfires Occurring in the Northeast?

Every fall, the Northeast faces wildfires, most often caused by human activities such as campfires, burning trash, and discarded cigarettes. However, this year, meteorologists and officials are particularly worried due to unprecedented dry spells that are causing a notable increase in both the number and ferocity of the fires.

The Northeast, similar to large parts of the country, is experiencing unusual dryness, with many states under severe or extreme drought conditions, as reported by the U.S. Drought Monitor from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln.

Which States and Cities Have Experienced a Lack of Rain?

On Sunday evening, light showers delivered the first rain in months to parts of the Mid-Atlantic, including New York City, where a total of 0.17 inches was reported – the region’s only measurable precipitation since late September.

New Jersey’s dry spell has shattered records in several cities. As of Friday, Trenton had not seen any measurable rain for 41 days, surpassing the previous record of 36 days from 1924. Newark recorded 40 days without rain, breaking its old record of 26 days set in the spring of 1949.

Likewise, Philadelphia faced a dry streak of at least 40 days, exceeding the previous record of 29 days from 1874.

Notably, both New Jersey and Delaware marked their driest October on record, per the National Weather Service.

Are Wildfires Common in the Northeast?

Wildfires frequently destroy thousands of acres in Northeast states each year, although they are most prevalent in the spring.

For instance, in New Jersey, approximately 1,500 wildfires occur yearly, damaging or destroying around 7,000 acres of forest, according to the state’s forest fire service. Although spring is the peak season, the falling leaves in autumn add fuel that can lead to increased fire activity, particularly during dry spells.

In New York, thousands of acres are burned annually, with 47% of all wildfires occurring between March 15 and May 15.

October typically sees about 15 fires in Massachusetts, but this year’s count surged to 200, marking an increase of around 1,200%. According to the state’s Department of Fire Services, this rise is comparable to the figures usually recorded during the early spring brush fire season.

Last week, Massachusetts officials escalated the drought level to “significant” and “critical” statewide, with firefighters battling at least 175 separate incidents as of Saturday.

Which Regions Have Received Wildfire Risk Alerts?

From Washington, D.C., to New England, many areas were under advisories last week warning of heightened wildfire risks.

For instance, on Saturday, areas in the New York metropolitan region, Connecticut, Rhode Island, and Massachusetts had red flag warnings due to strong winds, low humidity, and dry conditions, as stated by the National Weather Service. While the majority of these warnings were lifted by Sunday night, officials urged the public to remain cautious regarding potential ignition sources like equipment, lit cigarettes, or matches.

When Will the Drought Conclude in the Northeast?

Meteorologists believe that additional rainfall is unlikely to resolve the widespread dryness affecting the Northeast.

Although storms are expected to approach the region within the next two weeks, potentially bringing rain to New York City and southern New England, the anticipated showers will be limited and insufficient to thoroughly soak the arid soil.

“While this more dynamic weather pattern may provide some rain opportunities this week, it doesn’t guarantee adequate rainfall everywhere to mitigate fire risks,” explained meteorologist John Feerick from AccuWeather. “Some areas might remain dry for a full week without any rain.”

This Thursday, a weather front coming from the Midwest is anticipated to reach the Northeast, potentially carrying some tropical moisture along with it. However, according to Feerick, it’s not expected to bring the significant rainfall that the Northeast desperately needs for long-term relief.

(This article has been updated to include the latest information.)