Wildfire Sends Smoke To Gloucester Co. Towns

GLOUCESTER COUNTY, NJ — A woodland wildfire burned last weekend in Gloucester County, sending smoke to residential areas.

The 10-acre blaze was contained Sunday in the White Oaks Wildlife Management Area in Franklin and Monroe townships. There were no evacuations or road closures, according to the Gloucester County Office of Emergency Management.

Smoke traveled into the Clayton, Glassboro and Washington Township areas, officials said.

Several wildfires have broken out throughout the state in recent weeks. On Monday, the New Jersey Forest Fire Service implemented Stage 3 fire restrictions as the state deals with historically dry conditions.

Under the restrictions, charcoal fires are prohibited. All fires in wooded ares must be contained in an elevated stove, using only propane, natural gas, gas or electricity.

Gov. Phil Murphy enacted a statewide drought watch last week, with a lack of precipitation stressing the state's water supply in recent months.

Last month was New Jersey's third-driest September since records commenced in 1895. There was virtually no rainfall in the first half of this month, according to the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection.