4 Fires Ignite In Hillsborough As Fire Danger Remained High

HILLSBOROUGH, NJ — Hillsborough firefighters were busy on Wednesday as they battled two brush fires and two combine fires.

Members of Hillsborough Fire Stations 37 and 36, Fire Marshals Office and NJ State Forest Fire Service cleared all four fires off Beekman Lane on Oct. 2 around 4 p.m., Station 37 Fire reported.

NJ State Forest Fire Service had the fire danger level set to high due to dry conditions.

Not sure what a "high" risk means? The Forest Fire Service breaks it down:

All fine dead fuels ignite readily and fires start easily from most causes. Unattended brush and campfires are likely to escape. Fires spread rapidly and short-distance spotting is common. High-intensity burning may develop on slopes or in concentrations of fine fuels. Fires may become serious and their control difficult unless they are attacked successfully while small.

As a result, the Fire Service placed restrictions on outdoor fires this past weekend in Northern New Jersey including in Somerset County. (See Related: Some Backyard Fire Pits Banned In North Jersey This Weekend)

The restrictions went up to "Stage Two" on Monday following a prolonged dry spell paired with high temperatures and strong sun.

Under "Stage Two" restrictions, all ground fires are banned, and only certain elevated fires will be allowed.

"An elevated prepared fireplace must be constructed of steel, stone, brick or concrete with its fire box elevated at least one foot above the ground surface and surrounded by at least a ten feet radius clearance to mineral soil," officials said.

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