150-Acre Wildfire Burning in New Jersey, Officials Say
Officials say that a wildfire in New Jersey that started Monday night (May 29) in Gloucester County has grown to 150 acres.
According to New Jersey Forest Fire Service’s Twitter today (May 30), the latest update for Franklin & Monroe Townships, Gloucester County, White Oaks Wildlife Management Area WILDFIRE UPDATE: Franklin & Monroe Townships, Gloucester County - White Oaks WMA@njdepforestfire has made substantial progress containing a wildfire burning on both private property and the White Oaks WMA.
The fire is currently 150 acres in size and 60% contained. pic.twitter.com/MZTOpJxC9d
The fire service added: “Today, crews will continue to monitor and improve containment lines in addition to extinguishing any hotspots near the fire perimeter.”
They noted that zero structures have been threatened, nor have there been any evacuations or road closures at this time. The fire organization warned of drones over the area at this time. “No Drones in Fire Zones – If YOU fly, WE can’t!”
The fire has made great improvement as of Monday night (May 29). The fire was 0% contained and one structure at the time was threatened. All roads stayed open. White Oaks Wildlife Management Area is about 2,909 acres in between the White Horse Pike and Black Horse Pike.
RELATED: Large Wildfire Shutters N.J. Highway
This has not been New Jersey’s first wildfire this year. Last month, A large wildfire began on April 11 burning off Route 539 in Manchester Township that forced a portion of the highway to be closed, according to NJ.com. The highway was closed between Route 70 and Long Swamp Road at the time.
On April 11, fire officials told the outlet that “a roughly 10-acre wildfire burned through a wooded area near Alameda Drive in Brick Township and another five-acre wildfire scored brush in nearby Howell Township.”
The Howell fire started when a homeowner was burning wood in a fire pit in their backyard. A large gust of wind carried embers to a wooded area, according to a statement from the Howell Township Police Department.
The other fire that day was in Jersey City. The fire jumped both the Hudson-Bergen Light Rail and the Newark Bay-Hudson County Turnpike Extension.
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