Southern New Jersey Overlook

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Forest Fire Threatens New Jersey Pinelands North of Atlantic County, NJ

According to current news reports, and updates from the New Jersey Forest Fire Service, the Warren Grove Gunnery Range (9,400 acres in Bass Township), used as a New Jersey National Guard weapons training area, and located by McGuire Air Force Base (about 25 miles north of Atlantic City), was the origin point of a wildfire that has consumed more than 12,000 acres, almost 20 square miles of New Jersey Pinelands.  It was believed started when a military jet dropped a flare on a bombing range.New Jersey Forest Fire

At this point, firefighters are battling the blaze, reaching heights of 80 to 100 feet, and also closely monitoring to see how it develops.  Over 2,500 people have already been evacuated, several homes were either damaged or destroyed, and wildfire has the potential to effect as much as 25,000 acres.  No fatalities have occurred.

For those in Northern and Southern areas of Burlington and Ocean counties, you need to stay closely tuned to local radio and civic emergency communitications so you are prepared if the blaze should head your way.

- See  Comments for updates. -


New Jersey Forest Fires - Where To Go For Emergency Help:

Local Radio: WOBM 92.7 FM, WBBO 98.5 FM, WBHX 99.7 FM and WJRZ 101.1 FM

NJ Red Cross (Jersey Coast Chapter): Providing shelter and other services for those effected. Phone: 732-493-9100.  (Volunteers and contributions needed.)   Disaster vicims can also access the Red Cross's "safe and well" Web site and post messages to let loved ones know they are OK.


For Additional Information:
Foxnews.com  [search for latest news]
NJ FFS Section 8-B10 (see updated Div B Large Fire Status reports and pictures)
New Jersey Fire Service [about]
Courier-Post Online [search for latest news]
Live From the Ledger - Star Ledger Blog [search for latest news]
Philly.com - Philadephia Inquirer [search for latest news]
ABC News  [search for latest news]
Press of Atlantic City [search for latest news]
Asbury Park Press [search for latest news]
Effects of Fire Management on Pine Plains Vegetation at Warren Grove Air National Guard Range (pdf)
Articles on New Jersey Pineland or Pine Barrens, including: The Pinelands, or Pine Barrens, of New Jersey
South Jersey Resources Center
Causes of Forest Fires In New Jersey



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Copyright 2007 by Lawrence Yerkes. All Rights Reserved.  

12 comments • Lawrence Yerkes - Broker Associate, Southern New Jersey Real Estate Services • May 16 2007 02:52PM

Comments

5 pm. As of this time "containment" is about 30%, but concerns are lower humidity than expected, gusts of wind from approaching weather front -- an approaching thunderstorm which is very unpredictable regarding winds.  Spotting is an issue. Also, are having to establish and maintain a 40 mile wide containment area around the fire.  Over 13,000 acres and several structures have now burned.  Fires now in Stafford and Barneget Townships (Ocean County bordering Burlington County) and effecting the Garden State Parkway (GSP).

GSP - HandyGuide
Unofficial GSP
NJ Roadtrips - GSP
GSP-Roadway Conditions
DOT - Real Time Traffic Conditions - Live Reports
Posted by Lawrence Yerkes - Broker Associate, Southern New Jersey Real Estate Services (RE/MAX Preferred) about 5 years ago
7pm.  Wildfire through Pine Barrens has forced closure of roads:

Garden State Parkway Intermittent Closures between Exit 38: Atlantic City Expr. and Exit 82: NJ 37

Due to large forest fire, expect intermittent closures of the Parkway in both directions between Exit 38: AC Exp. and Exit 82: NJ 37 in Atlantic, Burlington & Ocean Ctys. To avoid this area, use I-195, I-295, NJ 42, and the Atlantic City Expressway. Allow extra time. 
 
Stafford Township, Ocean County Forest Fire

Due to a large forest fire, Route 72 and County Routes 532 and 539 in Stafford Township, Ocean County are all closed. Avoid area. Seek alternate routes. 
 

DOT - Real Time Traffic Conditions - Live Reports

Posted by Lawrence Yerkes - Broker Associate, Southern New Jersey Real Estate Services (RE/MAX Preferred) about 5 years ago
3am.  Heavy rains which came around 7pm on Wednesday evening have dampened the forest fire, dumping about a half-inch of water, hopefully to the point the wildfire can be declared under control later on Thursday.  Almost 14,000 acres (20 square miles) have been burned by the huge wildfire. 

About 6000 people had been effected at some point by the forest fire, with under 500 still in local school shelters. Close to 20 homes have been destroyed or damaged, but there have been no fatalities.  Up to 600 firefighters have been involved in fighting the blaze.
 
FEMA has already approved grants to reimburse the fire fighting costs (up to 75%) that state and local organizations have incurred in fighting the fire.   This can be done without Presidential approval that is required to declare a disaster.
 
The Air Force has opened a claims processing center for fire victims at the NJ National Guard Armory in Tuckerton (on Route 9).
Posted by Lawrence Yerkes - Broker Associate, Southern New Jersey Real Estate Services (RE/MAX Preferred) about 5 years ago
10:30am.  Fire fighters have stopped the spread of the forest fire and hope to achieve complete containment of the blaze by noon.  Power has been restored to all homes that had been evacuated.
Posted by Lawrence Yerkes - Broker Associate, Southern New Jersey Real Estate Services (RE/MAX Preferred) about 5 years ago
5pm.  Almost 70% of the massive wildfire has been contained.  There is a possibility of some additional showers in the early evening.  If not, there is concern that the still smoldering areas could dry out enough for the blaze to flare up.  Helicopters are being used to locate and quinch potential flareup trouble spots.  It is hoped that the blaze will be fully contained by tomorrow (Friday).
Posted by Lawrence Yerkes - Broker Associate, Southern New Jersey Real Estate Services (RE/MAX Preferred) about 5 years ago
7am.  Cooler temperatures and possibility of more rain should help as fire fighters continue to work at containing and extinguishing the forest fire,.  They are also making sure that any still smoldering sections of the land the fire blazed through do not reignite.

According to a recent NJ Forest Fire Service web post (Section 8-B10), 17,000+ acres have burned. (5) homes were lost. (50) homes damaged.


Click here for brief history of Wharton State Forest (part of Pinelands) and forestry service.

How the NJ Forest Fire Service is organized.
NJ Forest Fire History
Fire Danger and Campfire Restrictions
Posted by Lawrence Yerkes - Broker Associate, Southern New Jersey Real Estate Services (RE/MAX Preferred) about 5 years ago
9pm.   Up to 90 to 95% of the forest fire has been contained.  Fire officials believe it will be another 24 hours before it is 100% contained.  

The Air National Guard said that the fire was probably started when one of their F-16 jets dropped a flair during a training mission.  Air and National Guard leaders will be conducting internal investigations and meeting with federal officials and representatives to determine cause and what needs to change.  Until then, all aerial training has been suspended at the Warren Grove Gunnery Range. 
Posted by Lawrence Yerkes - Broker Associate, Southern New Jersey Real Estate Services (RE/MAX Preferred) about 5 years ago
12pm.  Firefighters are still attempting full containment and dealing with hot spots, finishing fire lines with tractor plows, and burning areas outside the fire to try to starve it.  Over the past couple of days, while the weather has been ideal for peopel in general, it also means that the forest area is drying out from previous rain.

Victims of the Pinelands forest fire can now file claims and get information about emergency food and medical help at two locations:

The Brighton at Barnegat Community Center, 35 Brighton Road, Route 72, is offering food, shelter, medical help and other assisiance.

Services are also available at a seperate claim center at the New Jersey Army National Guard Armory on Route 9 in Tuckerton.

The two centers are open from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. For more information, the Air Force has established three hotlines: (609) 296-2129; (609) 296-0648, and (609) 296-0671.   (Source: Star-Ledger)

For those that have returned to homes effected by the fire and smoke, they now have the challenge of getting rid of the soot and smokey smell.  Besides opening all the doors and windows and washing all clothes, click here for additional tips and suggestions.

New Jersey Air National Guard's 177th Fighter Wing, based at Atlantic City International Airport, has been ordered by The state Adjutant General halt all flying activity Friday and conduct a day-long review of safety procedures. (Source: Courier-Post)
Posted by Lawrence Yerkes - Broker Associate, Southern New Jersey Real Estate Services (RE/MAX Preferred) about 5 years ago
2pm.  Efforts continue on extinquishing the flames of the once massive forest fire.  There are still hotspots that fire workers are taking care of, especially around the Garden State Parkway.

Forests have dried out from previous rains so there is a restriction on campfires.
Posted by Lawrence Yerkes - Broker Associate, Southern New Jersey Real Estate Services (RE/MAX Preferred) about 5 years ago

5pm.  New Jersey Firefighters have the forest fire, that has been threatening the South Jersey Pinelands since the 16th, fully contained and are hoping to soon declare it 100% controlled (it is currently at 90%).  It will take several more days before fire fighters can be sure that all hot spots are fully extinguished.

See the Milford Township, NJ page on Fire Safety In New Jersey Outdoors

Smokey the Bear in New Jersey - "Only YOU can prevent forest fires!"

Timeline History of the Pinelands

Posted by Lawrence Yerkes - Broker Associate, Southern New Jersey Real Estate Services (RE/MAX Preferred) about 5 years ago

2pm.  Final cleanup of hotspots in forest fire area continues.

New Jersey Air National Guard may be allowed to resume aerial training soon.  In the meantime a 30-day investigation on it's causes and on identifying solutions for avoiding in the future is under way.

New Jersey Governor Corzine announced during a press conference today that he was in favor of closing Warren Grove Gunnery Range, located along the Ocean and Burlington county borders.

Because of the convenience it provides to region as a training area, it will probably not be closed.  However, pressure will be placed on the Air Force and NJ Air National Guard to take steps to minimize the chance of this happening again.

Posted by Lawrence Yerkes - Broker Associate, Southern New Jersey Real Estate Services (RE/MAX Preferred) about 5 years ago
Here's link to a page about the "Warren Grove Wildfire" provided by the NJ Forest Fire Service
Section B10 with photographs and links to additional media resources showing the massive pinelands fire and highlighting the efforts taken to fight the fire and extinguish it. 

The final tally was 17,270 acres burned, (5) homes destroyed, up to (13) homes damaged.

See also related article: Kudos to Fire Fighters and Supporting Emergency Responders

Here's video on YouTube showing fire on 5/16
Posted by Lawrence Yerkes - Broker Associate, Southern New Jersey Real Estate Services (RE/MAX Preferred) almost 5 years ago

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