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The Jennings Creek Wildfire burning behind homes in Greenwood Lake, N.Y., on Nov. 10.Dakota Santiago / New York Times via Redux
Climate in Crisis

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

More than 58% of the Northeast is in moderate drought or worse, according to the U.S. Drought Monitor. 

By Evan Bush and Shahrzad Elghanayan

Drought has parched the Northeast U.S. 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 had its driest conditions in nearly 120 years. Some areas have experienced 40 days without measurable rain.

Little more rain 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 because of 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 parts 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.

Mark Hockman, of Penn View Farms, shows the damage done to drought-stricken ear of corn in Perkasie, Pa., on Oct. 22.
Mark Hockman, of Penn View Farms, shows the damage done to drought-stricken ear of corn in Perkasie, Pa., on Oct. 22.Daniella Heminghaus / USA Today Network
Cows eating on the side of the Penn View Farm building
Cows eating on the side of the Penn View Farm building.Daniella Heminghaus / USA Today Network
Rows of drought-stricken corn
Rows of drought-stricken corn at Penn View Farm.Daniella Heminghaus / USA Today Network
Aerial view of a wildfire spreading
Several homes were evacuated as a wildfire spread through the Colliers Mills Wildlife Management Area in Ocean County, N.J., on Nov. 5.Lokman Vural Elibol / Anadolu via Getty Images
Smoke from a wildfire moves across the river
Smoke from a wildfire in the Palisades area of Englewood Cliffs, N.J., moves across the Hudson River behind the George Washington Bridge in New York City on Nov. 8.Gary Hershorn / Getty Images
Fire breaks out in Prospect Park, New York
A fire in Prospect Park in New York City on Nov. 8. Michelle Paggi, Ph.D via Reuters
New York City officials issued an air quality alert on Saturday
Wildfires in New Jersey are leading to smoky skies and diminished air quality around the tristate area of the East Coast. As dangerous air quality hits New York City, Mayor Eric Adams issued an air quality alert Nov. 9.Selcuk Acar / Anadolu via Getty Images
A wildfire on the border of New York and New Jersey in Greenwood Lake, N.Y.
A wildfire burns in Greenwood Lake, N.Y., on the border of New York and New Jersey on Nov. 9.Bryan Anselm / New York Times via Redux
A firefighter battles a wildfire in Greenwood Lake, N.Y., as it approaches a road on Nov. 10.
A firefighter battles a wildfire in Greenwood Lake, N.Y., as it approaches a road on Nov. 10.Julian Leshay Guadalupe / USA Today Network
A long exposure photograph of the Jennings Creek wildfire burning behind a home in Greenwood Lake
The Jennings Creek Wildfire burning behind a home in Greenwood Lake, N.Y., on Nov. 10. Dakota Santiago / New York Times via Redux
Aerial view of low water levels
Low water levels at the Wanaque Reservoir in Ringwood, N.J., on Nov. 11.Ted Shaffrey / AP
Smoke rises from a wildfire behind a row of lakefront properties
Smoke rises from a wildfire behind a row of lakefront properties in the town of Awosting, as seen from across Greenwood Lake, Lakeside, N.J., on Nov. 11. Stefan Jeremiah / AP
A volunteer puts on his gear
Volunteers get ready to attend to the Jennings Creek Wildfire in the town of Greenwood Lake, N.Y., on Nov. 12.Eduardo Munoz / Reuters
A dry reservoir bed in the Wanaque Reservoir on Nov. 13. Gov. Phil Murphy announced a drought warning advisory for New Jersey as the state faces prolonged dry conditions.
A dry reservoir bed in the Wanaque Reservoir on Nov. 13. Gov. Phil Murphy announced a drought warning advisory for New Jersey as the state faces prolonged dry conditions.Julian Leshay Guadalupe / USA Today Network
A New York City Fire Department boat works to put out a brush fire in the Inwood Hill Park section of northern Manhattan on Nov. 13.
A New York City Fire Department boat works to put out a brush fire in the Inwood Hill Park section of northern Manhattan on Nov. 13. Bryan R. Smith / AFP - Getty Images
Firefighters respond to a brush fire in Inwood Hill Park at the northern tip of Manhattan on Nov. 13. Dozens of firefighters were battling the brush fire just days after fires in wooded areas of Brooklyn, the Bronx and New Jersey spread smoke across New York City.
Firefighters respond to a brush fire in Inwood Hill Park at the northern tip of Manhattan on Nov. 13. Dozens of firefighters were battling the brush fire just days after fires in wooded areas of Brooklyn, the Bronx and New Jersey spread smoke across New York City.David Dee Delgado / New York Times via Redux

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

Evan Bush

Evan Bush is a science reporter for NBC News.

Shahrzad Elghanayan

Shahrzad Elghanayan is a senior photo editor for NBC News Digital.