The first of the two fires was reported around 1:00 p.m. Saturday behind the Country Lakes Development in Pemberton, was dubbed a major fire. By 11:00 p.m., officials say they contained 50-percent of the blaze.
The fire caused the closure of Route 70 for about 4 miles from the area of the Country Lake Estates to the Ocean-Burlington line.
23 fire engines, 7 water tenders, and over 100 volunteer firefighters assisted the New Jersey Fire Service.
Forest Fire Service lit backfires to control the blaze. The idea is to burn away the leaves, brush, and pine needles in a controlled fashion before the uncontrolled flames get there. The method is to rob the fire of its fuel.
Wind gusts of up to 40 mph hindered operations; though, officials said the wind direction was blowing the fire away from the housing development. No homes were evacuated.
Meanwhile on Saturday night, Atlantic County crews dealt with their own blaze in the Mays Landing area. Most of the fire was in a swampy area and no evacuations were ordered.
Earlier in the day, at around 11:00 a.m., the State Park Police and the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection had their hands full battling a blaze in Wharton State Forest in Waterford, Camden County.
There was a total of 450 acres burned. Officials believe that an abandoned campfire may have been what sparked the fire, however the investigation continues.
There was only one injury last night to a volunteer firefighter. However, it was a diabetes-related injury.
