Officials warned Monday that a fast-moving wildfire in a remote state forest in New Jersey threatened to be the state’s largest fire in 15 years.
Called the Mullica River Fire, the flame burned about 12,000 acres in the Wharton State Forest, 70% of which was contained as of Monday night. Officials said.. The South Jersey Forest is about 30 miles northwest of Atlantic City.
No injuries have been reported, but 18 structures, including several farms and campgrounds, have been threatened by fire, officials said. They also stated that they ruled out natural causes in their investigation.
“I think it’s important to reflect on the fact that most of our forest fires are man-made,” New Jersey Environmental Commissioner Sean Latourette said in a press conference. He said illegal campfires that were not completely extinguished pose a risk.
Governor Phil Murphy Said on twitter He thanked the crew who worked 24 hours a day to contain the flames.
The weather conditions on Monday were dry and sunny, but the temperature was slightly above average and the humidity was rising. Predicted throughout the region on Tuesday.. It was expected that the probability of precipitation would be high on Wednesday.
New Jersey Forest Fire Department Secretary Gregory McLaughlin said at a press conference on Monday that the fire was first discovered on Sunday morning, but due to the remote location, immediate efforts to curb the fire are effective. Said there was no.
In the western United States, wildfires are increasing in scale and intensity, and the season for wildfires is getting longer. Recent studies suggest that heat and dryness associated with global warming are the main reasons for the increase in larger and stronger fires.
The peak season for wildfires in New Jersey is from mid-March to May. According to the state environmental protection agency.. Approximately 7,000 acres of state forest are damaged or destroyed each year by an average of 1,500 wildfires.
The Warren Grove Fire in May 2007 It was one of the largest wildfires in the state’s history, consuming over 17,000 acres and destroying four homes. The fire was caused by a flare dropped by a National Guard pilot.
An aerial video of a fire on the Malika River on Monday showed a thick smoke eruption rising above the forest.
Jersey Shore miles away, some beach fans Told to ABC6On a Philadelphia television station, they saw a hazy condition. One woman said it smelled like “excessive barbecue smoke.” She reported that she saw at least one man with ashes on her car.