Washington Township, Burlington County wildfire is 95% contained, officials say

WASHINGTON TWP., New Jersey (WPVI) -- The New Jersey Forest Fire Service is making progress in containing a wildfire in Burlington County.

The flames were spotted around 11:48 a.m. Tuesday off Route 542 and River Road in Washington Township.

Officials said the flames consumed 257 acres and were 95% contained as of 8 p.m. on Wednesday.

All road restrictions have been lifted.

On Tuesday night, families could only stand by and watch as firefighters went to work.

"Very worried. We've lived down here all our lives and you never know," said John Mattern of Washington Township.

He says his family prepared for the worst and packed.

The blaze, which was first detected around 11:48 a.m. Tuesday, is currently 75 acres in size and 0% contained, according to officials.

Mattern wasn't the one uneasy about the flames.

"All of a sudden I come out and I see a big fire over here I said, 'Oh my goodness,'" recalled Zoraida Mejias of Washington Township.

Claire Haviland took Action News towards her property along a fire break that teams had dug out. She says that the decision is saving homes.

"Even when it's happening to you, you don't really think about how it's coming towards you. You kind of wait and see when the time for panic is," she said.

Fire officials fear more fires will break out this month due to the dry conditions.

"We're seeing temperatures in April 85 degrees, 90 degrees. These are conditions you expect to see until July," said Chief Greg McGlaughlin with the New Jersey Forest Fire Service.

"Staff is definitely starting to get fatigued," said John Earlin Jr. of the New Jersey Forest Fire Service. "We've been very busy and conditions remain dry."

Central and Southern New Jersey are under stage three fire restrictions, meaning no fires in wooded areas unless they're in an elevated stove using propane, gas, or electricity.

No wood fires or charcoal ones are permitted in the region.

Residents at Belhaven Lake RV Resort say they're used to keeping an eye on the conditions.

"We would love to have a campfire, but with the restrictions being on there, they post it," said Mike Finnegan, who lives at Belhaven most of the year. "You just go along with it. It's part of camping."

This spring has been much more active than last year.

According to the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection, so far this year the state has had 518 wildfires with more than 7,800 acres burned.

Around the same time last year, there were only 327 wildfires and 471 acres burned.

Fire officials say the warm winter combined with current conditions is contributing to the flames.

"Less snowfall, that didn't compact the forest fuels, higher temperatures, lower humidity, higher wind, everything is lining up. That's why we're having more wildfires," said Earlin.

Officials are still investigating the cause of the fire.