Wildfire Burning In Burlington County: Avoid The Area

BURLINGTON COUNTY, NJ — Officials are responding to a wildfire Tuesday afternoon in Washington Township, Burlington County.

The wildfire — first detected at 11:48 a.m. — is off Route 542 and River Road, according to the New Jersey Forest Fire Service, which issued the wildfire alert at about 1:20 p.m. The blaze threatens 30 structures, but officials haven't mandated any evacuations as of 4 p.m.

Avoid the area. The Forest Fire Service says it will issue updates on social media as they become available.

"The wildfire is burning in pine, oak and mountain laurel fuels," the agency said. "Upon the Forest Fire Service’s arrival, a strong direct attack of the fire was attempted by the air and ground."

Road closures as of 4 p.m. include Route 542 between Wading River Bridge and Lovers Lane, Old Church Road, and River Road.

Officials didn't immediately say which forests have been impacted. Route 542 and River Road is near several forests and wildlife areas.

A Forest Fire Service observer first detected the blaze in the Bass River Fire Tower.

Several dramatic 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.

Read more:

• No Homes Lost: How Firefighters Prevented 'Catastrophe' In Manchester
• 1,600-Acre Forest Fire Fully Contained In Southern Ocean

The Forest Fire Service announced increased campfire restrictions in five counties, including Burlington County, because of continued warm, dry conditions. Under Stage 3 campfire restrictions, all fires in wooded areas are prohibited "unless contained in an elevated stove using only propane, natural gas, gas, or electricity. No charcoal fires are allowed." Read more: Campfire Restrictions Tighten In 5 NJ Counties

Additionally, the National Weather Service issued a red-flag warning for gusty winds and low relative humidity — conditions favorable for wildfires — in effect until 8 p.m. for northwestern and southeastern Burlington County.

As of Tuesday morning, state officials tallied 517 wildfires that burned 7,608 acres so far this year. New Jersey annually averages 1,500 wildfires that destroy 7,000 forest acres.

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.