JACKSON TOWNSHIP, New Jersey (WABC) — Firefighters have made some progress battling a wildfire in Jackson Township in Ocean County, New Jersey, but the conditions are ripe for a fire because of the lack of rain.
There have been some evacuations of homes, but those residents were allowed back Thursday morning.
The New Jersey Forest Service is working overtime this fall stretching lines, digging trenches, and using every bit of people’s power available to contain the fire.
The blaze in the Colliers Mills Wildlife Management Area, dubbed the Shotgun Fire has torched some 300 acres.
At one point, 25 structures were threatened. This area has a combination of homes and sizable farms with animals.
Six homes on Stump Tavern Road were evacuated.
Residents have been allowed back home, but are still on edge. Others are worried because the smoke is thick and ash is everywhere, but they had little warning.
As for conditions, this could be the worst fire season ever because it has been so dry.
The lack of rain, leaves falling, stressed trees, and wind gusts are all elements making this fire and others so challenging.
The fire is 40% contained. The cause is under investigation. But in most cases, these fires are caused by human behavior. That could be tossing a cigarette butt, sparks from
A lawn mower. So residents are urged to be careful.
Meantime, fire crews are battling another large wildfire, this time in Burlington County.
This fire is burning in Evesham Township. Chopper 6 was over the scene on Thursday morning as a large plume of smoke rose over the region.
It’s happening in the Kettle Run Road and Sycamore Ave. areas. Evesham police say Kettle Run Road is closed between Braddock Mill Road and Hopewell Road.
There was no immediate word on the size of the fire or whether any homes were threatened.
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