Firefighters Contain Pine Barrens Fires in New Jersey

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Firefighters gained the upper hand on two fires in the Pine Barrens area of New Jersey.

On Wednesday, the Bass River Fire was 80% contained. The fire began Monday in the Bass River State Forest and burned 677 acres in 24 hours, progress of the fire slowed dramatically after that, according to The Press of Atlantic City.

"We have 40-plus people on it, including 13 engines, three tractor plows, and two aircraft - one for observation and one for dropping water," said Assistant Division Fire Warden Steve Homes.

Swampy areas made the fight difficult for firefighters. Weather forecasts call for rain today which could help firefighters even more.

"All morning and into the early afternoon, the winds were blowing the flames back onto the main body of fire rather than spreading it outward," said Bert Plante, a spokesman for the state Forest Fire Service.  "We have got quite a bit of fire occurring in two big swampy areas at the center of the fire. But we feel confident about it behaving itself and staying in there."

"The fire didn't burn as hot as some forest fires, and it left leaves and needles on the trees," Plante said. "As those leaves and needles fall to the forest floor, we should expect to see ground fires popping up pretty regularly."

When the fire started Monday, it forced the evacuation of Bass River State Forest, but it was reopened to visitors Tuesday afternoon, according to the Philadelphia Inquirer.

The fire is believed to have been cause by lightning, according to WMGM-TV. Swampy areas made it difficult for firefighters to douse the hot spots.

The Winslow Fire burned 93 acres, according to the Associated Press.

This fire was less than 40 miles away, in Camden County, New Jersey.

The fire was visible to drivers on the Atlantic City Expressway but did not affect travel, according to The Press.

Neither fire burned in populated areas.



Author:Barbara Brooks - Fire Department Network News