A wildfire that began Friday in the Wharton State Forest in Burlington County is now 80% contained, fire officials said Sunday.
The New Jersey Forest Fire Service posted on its Facebook page a total of 5,750 acres were scorched since the blaze began Friday morning. It was first spotted near the Carranza Memorial in the state forest.
By 11 p.m. Friday, flames had grown to 3,250 acres, state fire officials had said.
The blaze, dubbed the Mines Spung Wildfire, is located within Wharton State Forest in Shamong Township. A wildfire is defined by state fire officials as an uncontrolled fire burning different types of vegetation covering the land, with a “major wildfire” being anything that exceeds 100 acres in size.
Crews on Sunday were continuing to mop up hot spots and patrol the fire perimeter, state fire officials said.
“Fire activity remains limited to creeping and smoldering within the established containment lines, and this is expected to continue until substantial rainfall occurs,” the Facebook posting stated.
The state Forest Fire Service said observation flights will be conducted over the fire area as weather conditions permit.
The wildfire has led to the closure of several roads and a portion of a trail, as well as the evacuation of a county campground.
Current forest road closures include: Tuckerton Road, which is closed from Carranza Road to the Washington Turnpike; Carranza Road from Forked Neck Road to Tuckerton Road; Bulldozer Road; and Hampton Road.
Additionally, the Batona Trail is closed between Carranza and Quaker Bridge Roads. The Lower Forge Campground was evacuated and at least five other structures are being threatened by the fire, officials said Sunday.
Both the Phillip M. Costello Preparatory Academy in Tabernacle, and a campground were evacuated shortly after the report was made Friday morning.
The state Forest Fire Service anticipates its next update will be around 12:30 p.m. Monday as crews continue their efforts through Sunday.
The cause of Friday’s wildfire is unknown and remains under investigation. No injuries have been immediately reported.
The fire is one of the largest in the state since the Jones Road Wildfire scorched 15,300 acres in Ocean and Lacey Townships in April.
That blaze was active for nearly three weeks before it was fully contained.
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Pamela Sroka-Holzmann may be reached at [email protected].
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