257-Acre Wildfire In Burlington County Is Mostly Contained: Officials

WASHINGTON TOWNSHIP, NJ — The Burlington County wildfire, which broke out Tuesday morning, became 85 percent contained as of 10 a.m. Wednesday, according to state officials. But conditions around the state remained favorable for the spreading of fires, with strong winds, rising temperatures and low relative humidity.

Crews will continue containment efforts on the 257-acre wildfire in Washington Township. The fire burned off Route 542 and River Road. Route 542 has reopened, but those traveling should use caution because of potential smoke conditions. River Road and Old Church Road remain closed as of 10 a.m. Wednesday.

No structures are under threat as of Wednesday morning. Previously, the New Jersey Forest Fire Service said the wildfire threatened 30 structures. The incident in the remote, forest-filled area hasn't prompted any mandatory evacuations.

"Today crews will continue to monitor and improve containment lines in addition to extinguishing any hotspots near the fire perimeter," the Forest Fire Service said Wednesday morning on social media.

Officials first detected the wildfire at 11:48 a.m. Tuesday.

Conditions remained favorable for forest fires Wednesday, with forecasters projecting temperatures in the 60s, low humidity and maximum gusts of 25 mph. The National Weather Service issued red flag warnings — conditions that create fire-growth potential — across all of New Jersey from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Wednesday.

• Read more: Wildfire Threat 'Critical' Across NJ As Temps Warm Up

The Forest Fire Service also implemented significant fire restrictions Wednesday in the following counties: Atlantic, Burlington, Camden, Cape May, Cumberland, Gloucester, Monmouth, Ocean, Middlesex (south of the Raritan River), Mercer County (except Hopewell Township) and Salem. The Stage 3 restrictions prohibit all fires in wooded areas unless contained in an elevated stove using only propane, natural gas, gas or electricity. No charcoal fires are allowed.

Several substantial wildfires have burned throughout the region in recent days, including a 3,859-acre blaze in the Pine Barrens and a 1,607-acre forest fire in Southern Ocean County — both of which were contained last week.

April represents New Jersey's peak wildfire season, with persistent winds and low humidity making it more likely that fires spread. Climate change has made wildfires worse, and the United Nations anticipates that "extreme fires" will occur more frequently in years to come, according to a report the U.N. issued last year.