104 structures threatened as wildfire burns at border of Burlington, Camden counties
The fire is located in Evesham and Voorhees townships, the New Jersey Forest Fire Service said Thursday afternoon.
EVESHAM TWP., New Jersey (WPVI) -- UPDATE: Multiple wildfires burn in New Jersey amid extreme drought conditions; evacuation orders lifted
Crews are making progress in containing a wildfire that has threatened dozens of buildings at the border of Burlington and Camden counties in New Jersey.
The fire is located in Evesham and Voorhees townships, the New Jersey Forest Fire Service said Thursday.
The blaze, dubbed the Bethany Run Wildfire, is 300 acres in size and is 50% contained.
Officials say a total of 104 structures are threatened but all evacuation orders have been lifted.
"We feel really comfortable everyone can return to their homes," said NJFFS Assistant Division Forest Fire Warden Trevor Raynor during a briefing Thursday night.
Officials say a helicopter capable of dropping 350 gallons of water has been deployed, as have fire engines, bulldozers and ground crews.
"We're patrolling and moping up, strengthening those containment lines, and making sure the lines are safe, so that way when morning comes we can get back at it," added Raynor.
The following road closures are in effect:
- Sycamore Avenue closed
- Kettle Run Road closed from Braddock Mill Road to Hopewell Road
- Access to the Sturbridge Lakes Development is closed
WATCH: NJ Forest Fire Service provides updates on wildfires
The cause of this fire is under investigation.
A Red Flag Warning has been issued across our area for Friday as westerly winds will be gusting up to 30mph combined with very low relative humidity. This could lead to rapidly spreading wildfires.
'Shotgun Wildfire"
This comes as the fight against a wildfire in Jackson Township, Ocean County that began on Wednesday continues.
That fire, which the New Jersey Forest Fire Service has dubbed the 'Shotgun Wildfire," consumed more than 300 acres as of Thursday night. Six families were briefly evacuated from their homes.
"Just smoke coming up and I was like, 'What the heck is happening?' It started billowing over to our house," recalled Courtney Greenhoe of Jackson Township.
Crews battling 3rd fire
And in Gloucester County, crews are working to contain a wildfire burning in the Glassboro Wildlife Management Area.
No injuries have been reported in connection with the three fires.
Forest fire officials say there were 400 fires statewide in October. That's a record in the agency's history. They say this is also the driest they've ever seen it.
Something fire officials say you can do to protect your property is to clear away dry and dead leaves and pine needles, especially away from the side of your house and from your gutters. They're extremely flammable and if an ember from one fire lands on something like this it can spark up another one.
