A report from the N.J. Department of Environmental Protection’s Forest Fire Service on the 2025 wildfire season shows substantial increases in the number of wildfires and acreage burned statewide, with human activity accounting for 99.6% of the state’s wildfires last year, whether through accidental or intentional ignition. Only six wildfires, burning a combined 1.75 acres, were attributed to lightning.

Equipment use – which includes vehicle fires, equipment malfunctions and utility infrastructure – was the leading cause…