New Details Released On 11,000-Acre NJ Fire

BARNEGAT, N.J. — Officials believe the 11,000-acre wildfire from Penn State Forest was human-caused. Authorities said Monday afternoon that they do not know whether the fire was caused by arson or accident.

The wildfire is now 100 percent contained, according to the NJ Forest Fire Service. There have been no reported injuries or property damage in the fire that most of New Jersey could smell outside their windows.

Officials have asked anyone who might helpful information for the investigation to contact NJ Detective Sergeant Shaun Georgeson at 609-296-3132.

State authorities said the origin of the fire — Spring Hill Road in Penn State Forest of Washington Township — has been the location of illegal wildfires. Fire officials dispelled rumors that the fire stemmed from a controlled burn, lightning or power lines.

"I'd like to (offer more detail) in a few days," said Brian Corvinus of the NJ Division of Forest Fire Services. "We'd like to see some help from the public first if we could and keep it under investigation just for the time being."

Fire teams have been flying through the perimeter with thermal-energy cameras to detect any heat, but conditions are looking favorable. The burning mostly includes "smoldering, little flamelings, a couple inches and just a couple smokes here and there," officials said.

No injuries or property damage has been reported. Officials were able to prevent damage to unoccupied hunting properties.

On Sunday, smoke could be seen as far south as Atlantic City and as far north as Sandy Hook, according to the Ocean County Sheriff's Office. Route 72 and Route 539 reopened Sunday.

Fire crews had been working for nearly 48 hours to contain the fire, which was spotted at around 2 p.m. Saturday, according to the NJ Forest Fire Service. The fire covered a total of 11,638 aces, according to officials. The fire also saw some light showers Sunday afternoon.

The NJ Forest Fire Service lists today's fire danger as only "moderate" in the B section, which includes Ocean and Burlington Counties. The organization labeled Saturday's danger for forest fires as "very high."

New Jersey Forest Firewarden Greg McLauthlin said he was "very surprised" the fire didn't cross over Route 72.

"Our firefighters (needed) to go into the woods with handheld drip torches directly at the flaming front fire head and put fire on the ground in front of the fire and then reduce down and come back out all while putting new fire on the ground," McLauthlin said of containing the most aggressive parts of the fire.

"It puts guys in what we would call a precarious or not recommended situation. But that gets fire on the ground quickly and burns up some of that fuel to the fire, hoping that it will slow the fire down."

Officials said controlled burns in the area helped prevent the forest fire from further spreading. The state's final prescribed burns below in all regions below the Raritan River took place Friday.

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