Crime & Safety
NJ Wildfire Smoke Odors Reach Essex County
A smoke odor wafted up all the way to Essex County from a wildfire in South Jersey. Did you smell it?
ESSEX COUNTY, NJ -- The smoke and odor from a raging wildfire in South Jersey reached all the way up to Essex County, prompting alerts from several local public safety agencies on Saturday night.
A 8,000-acre forest fire that originated in Burlington County continued to rage in New Jersey on Sunday. The state Department of Environmental Protection said the fire was 50 percent contained as of 10 a.m.
The fire consumed about 5,000 acres of the Penn State Forest in Burlington County, officials said.
Find out what's happening in Caldwellsfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
- See related article: Smoke Spreading Across NJ As 8,000-Acre Forest Fire Keeps Raging
Residents across Essex County reported smelling smoke on Saturday and Sunday.
"A state forest fire in Burlington County has created a haze and burning smell within the township," Verona police stated at 7:41 p.m. on Saturday. "There are no active fires in Verona."
Find out what's happening in Caldwellsfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
The Roseland Volunteer Fire Department said Saturday:
"The odor of burning has reached our area and a strong odor of burning woods and natural materials is present throughout the area. Please be aware of this. If you feel or see a separate fire in the area please call 911."
The West Caldwell Fire Department said that a "strong odor" was present throughout the entire West Essex area.
"I noticed the smell as soon as I opened my door this morning," one resident commented.
The North Caldwell Fire Department wrote Saturday:
"The odor of burning has reached our area and a strong odor of burning woods and natural materials is present throughout the area. Please be aware of this. If you feel or see a separate fire in the area please call 911."
Good evening, please be aware there is a 2,000+ acre wildfire actively burning in South New Jersey. The strong odor is present throughout the entire West Essex area. Dial 911 to report a fire or emergency.
— West Caldwell Fire (@WestCaldwellFD) March 31, 2019
NJ Forest Fire crews are working the 'Spring Hill Wildfire' located just north of Penn State Forest in Burlington County. Last size reports were 1,000 to 2,000 acres with no containment. Smoke drift reported as far north as Newark, NJ. Route 72 was also closed.
— NJFFS Section B10 (@sectionb10) March 30, 2019
A Montclair resident reported smelling "slight smoke" in their apartment, and seeing smoke east of their building.
"Can confirm smoky haze at Newark Airport," another resident tweeted Sunday.
NJ.com posted the below video taken at the scene of the fire.
This article contains reporting by Tom Davis, Patch staff
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