LITTLE EGG HARBOR TWP., New Jersey (WPVI) -- Dozens of firefighters from
across South Jersey are working to contain a massive wildfire at Bass
River State Forest in Little Egg Harbor Township.
Fire crews have
settled controlled burns to help contain the blaze and save at least
100 homes that are at risk along Stage Road and Route 9.
It was first spotted around 4 p.m. Sunday.
Rob Gill, with the New Jersey Forest Fire Service, told Action News the fire has consumed roughly 900 acres of land that splits between Ocean and Burlington counties.
The fire is zero percent contained, said Gill.
Sections of Route 9 have been forced to be shut down. There are
voluntary evacuations for residents in the area, with a shelter set up
at Pinelands Regional High School.
Chopper 6 was overhead Sunday night as firefighters from across the state worked to get the blaze under control.
Chopper 6 was overhead Sunday night as firefighters from across the state worked to get the blaze under control.
Officials report about 70 firefighters with the New Jersey Forest Fire
Service from the central and southern parts of the state battled to get
the fire under control. About 150 structural firefighters from 39
municipal fire departments worked to protect the surrounding homes.
Gill said this fire is occurring at the backend of fire season.
"It varies depending on the piece of ground where a fire can happen," he said. "It'll vary from a quarter acre to a larger fire like this one. It all depends on the ground, fuel type, terrain. There are several factors that go into what determines the size of a fire."
Gill said this fire is occurring at the backend of fire season.
"It varies depending on the piece of ground where a fire can happen," he said. "It'll vary from a quarter acre to a larger fire like this one. It all depends on the ground, fuel type, terrain. There are several factors that go into what determines the size of a fire."
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