SHAMONG TOWNSHIP, N.J. (AP) - Forest fires broke out for the second time in less than a week in two separate remote areas of southern New Jersey Sunday as dry, windy conditions led to high fire danger levels across the state.
The Fire Service Sunday battled a blaze that spread across at least 800 acres in the Wharton State Forest, near where a fire claimed 250 acres on Thursday in Shamong Township, Burlington County. Sunday’s fire was in a remote area and the Fire Service says it is not a threat to any property, the Courier-Post reported (https://on.cpsj.com/1nxL2ib). No injuries or damage have been reported.
Campers were told to leave the Goshen Park Campgrounds Sunday morning and the blaze could be seen from many parts of Camden and Burlington counties.
The Fire Service was also battling a blaze for the second time this week in Downe Township, Cumberland County, at the far southern end of the state, the Press of Atlantic City reported (https://bit.ly/1fmRjL0). The size of that fire was unknown, but no evacuations or injuries were reported.
The agency used a spotter helicopter and fire planes, along with other heavy equipment, to fight Sunday’s fire.
A fire on Thursday in Downe Township burned more than 1,500 acres in the Bevans Wildlife Management Area, far from homes or other buildings.
Another blaze in Berkeley Township burned more than 300 acres Thursday into Friday and forced hundreds of evacuations, said Greg McLaughlin, the fire service’s division warden. Residents were allowed to return to their homes late Thursday.
Nearly 2,200 acres of forest had already burned in New Jersey as of April 20, more than three times last year’s total through that day.
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