Crews battle Wharton State Forest wildfire
A 2015 Pine Barrens wildfire. (Photo: George Gerber III/NJFFS)
Firefighters are battling a wildfire in Wharton State Forest early this afternoon.
The fire, situated in a remote section of the forest in Shamong, Burlington County, broke out near Quaker Bridge Road around 9:00 a.m. today, according to a New Jersey Forest Fire Service release.
Dubbed the “Phillips Bridge Wildfire,” the impact area is about two miles east of the Atsion ranger station, the release states.
An initial report from the scene issued this morning indicated that the fire area “should be held under about 50 acres.”
Authorities did not say if any structures were in danger. Aerial images of the area indicate heavily wooded surroundings.
The wildfire threat at a “moderate level” is not as high as yesterday due to decreasing winds, according to the New Jersey Forest Fire Service. However, low relative humidity values continue, resulting in dry conditions.
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