Massive NJ Wildfire's Smoke Lingers As Crews Contain The Blaze

TABERNACLE, NJ — A massive wildfire caused by illegal fireworks is mostly under control, officials said. But smoke from the Tea Time Hill Wildfire in Wharton State Forest will likely linger for a while.

Crews contained 90 percent of the 4,300-acre blaze (nearly 7 square miles) as of Monday night, according to the NJ Forest Fire Service. A fireworks device ignited the fire late Thursday night — the Fourth of July — authorities said.

Smoke from the wildfire, which raged in the Tabernacle Township area of the state forest, has been visible and smellable in several surrounding South Jersey communities. The smoke will likely linger until a significant amount of rain falls over the fire and as crews mop up the blaze, officials said.

Crews will remain on-scene to monitor control lines and address areas of concern until that rainfall occurs. The National Weather Service's forecast shows many chances for precipitation in the coming days, with greater chances of heavy rain Friday and Saturday. But it's unclear when it may be enough to put the smoke at bay. (See the forecast below.)

Drivers in the area should remain cautious of smoke, officials said.

No injuries were reported during the wildfire. Two facilities previously under threat — a residential structure and a hunting club — no longer risk damage, according to the Forest Fire Service.

The Batona Trail in Wharton State Forest remains closed between Route 532 and Carranza Road as of Monday night. The Tulpehocken Trail is closed from Apple Pie Hill to Hawkins Bridge.

Local Wharton State Forest roads remain shut down, while Carranza Road is closed from the Carranza Memorial to Speedwell Road at Friendship Field.

Humid conditions have kept the smoke low in the air, while a westward shift in the wind last week brought it toward South Jersey's more-populated areas, according to a spokesperson for the NJ Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP), which oversees the Forest Fire Service.

Authorities haven't identified anyone accused of lighting the fireworks device that caused the fire. Violators could be charged with several criminal offenses, including third-degree arson, NJDEP officials told Patch.

Anyone with information that could aid the investigation can call the New Jersey State Park Police tip line at 844-PARK-TIP (844-727-5847).

Ninety-nine percent of New Jersey's wildfires are human-caused, according to the Forest Fire Service. Climate change has and will continue to increase the size and frequency of wildfires, along with the length of wildfire season, according to multiple studies cited by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

Here's the National Weather Service's latest forecast for Tabernacle, where the fire occurred:

• Tuesday: A slight chance of showers and thunderstorms after 1 p.m. Partly sunny, with a high near 96. Heat index values as high as 103. South wind 5 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 20 percent.
• Tuesday night: A slight chance of showers and thunderstorms after 2 a.m. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 74. South wind around 5 mph. Chance of precipitation is 20 percent.
• Wednesday: A chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly after 2 p.m. Partly sunny, with a high near 94. Heat index values as high as 103. South wind 5 to 15 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30 percent. New rainfall amounts of less than a tenth of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.
• Wednesday night: A chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 75. South wind 10 to 15 mph. Chance of precipitation is 40 percent. New rainfall amounts of less than a tenth of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.
• Thursday: A chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 92. Southwest wind around 10 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph. Chance of precipitation is 40 percent. New rainfall amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.
• Thursday night: Showers and thunderstorms likely, mainly after 2am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 73. Chance of precipitation is 60 percent. New rainfall amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible.
• Friday: Showers and thunderstorms likely before 8am, then showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm between 8 a.m. and 2 p.m., then showers and thunderstorms likely after 2pm. Partly sunny, with a high near 85. Chance of precipitation is 60 percent.
• Friday night: Showers and thunderstorms likely, mainly before 8pm, then showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm after 2 a.m. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 70. Chance of precipitation is 60 percent.