And strong, gusty winds helped fuel a series of wildfires in south Jersey over the weekend, with dozens of firefighters still battling the blazes and one still under investigation as suspicious, according to state officials today.

The fires in Gloucester Township, Hopewell Township in Mercer County and Pennsville in Salem County have burned through hundreds of acres but are all now more than 80 to 90% contained.

The fires come amid an ongoing drought in the state and persistent dry conditions.

Leaders from the state Forest Fire Service today said New Jersey didn't get enough rain this winter to make a significant improvement, and warned will have a highly active fire season if conditions stay like this.

According to the state, from January 1st to March 3rd last year, New Jersey experienced 69 wildfires that burned just over 21 acres.

But that number shot way up for the same time this year, with 215 wildfires that have burned through more than 500 acres during the same period.

Now, the state's peak wildfire season is late spring, but experts today said climate change is shifting weather patterns, making fires more likely year round and in places where they've never been seen before.