Weather service advises residents in several counties to be aware of brush fires or wildfires Tuesday afternoon because of dry air and gusty winds. Watch video
For the second time in five days, the National Weather Service has issued an alert about the increased risk of brush fires or wildfires in 12 counties across New Jersey.
The latest alert was issued at 11:35 a.m. and covers these counties through 7 p.m. Tuesday: Bergen, Essex, Hudson, Hunterdon, Mercer, Middlesex, Morris, Passaic, Somerset, Sussex, Union and Warren.
"Gusty winds, along with lowering relative humidity values and drying fuels, will lead to an elevated risk for the spread of fires this afternoon," the weather service's regional office in Mount Holly said in a special weather statement.
For more information about wildfire danger, safety tips and fire restrictions at campgrounds and parks, the weather service advises residents to check the website of the New Jersey Forest Fire Service, which is part of the state Department of Environmental Protection.
A similar fire alert was issued Friday morning in 12 New Jersey counties. That afternoon, a brush fire broke out in a heavily wooded area in Sayreville and burned most of the day before being extinguished by firefighters Friday night.
Len Melisurgo may be reached at LMelisurgo@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @LensReality. Find NJ.com on Facebook.