New Jersey faces unseasonably high number of wildfires as drought continues
The number of wildfires in New Jersey over the past two weeks is more than eight times greater than the same timeframe last year.
1 month ago
A wildfire burning in Hainesport, N.J., Nov. 18, 2024. (6abc)
This story originally appeared on 6abc.
Crews are working to contain a 40-acre wildfire in Hainesport, Burlington County, that New Jersey Fire Service officials have dubbed the “Big Rusty Wildfire.”
As of 8:30 a.m. on Tuesday, the fire was 50% contained.
Chopper 6 flew over “Big Rusty,” a giant troll artwork, which appears to have been spared from the fire.
The blaze broke out Monday night in the area of Bancroft Lane and Cove Court.
Chopper 6 was also overhead on Monday as New Jersey Forest Fire crews established a containment line directly behind several homes in the area.
In a 9 p.m. update, officials said no structures were threatened, which was down from 20 earlier in the evening.
“There have been no evacuations. No one has been injured and the cause of the fire is under investigation,” said Chief Bill Donnelly with the NJ State Forest Fire Service.
Neighbors were drawn out of their homes. The glow and warmth of flames were just mere steps away.
“When all of this started I was very anxious and very upset because there’s nothing you can do,” said Jennifer Maffie, Hainesport.
Bancroft Lane, Cove Court, and Wharton Place were closed but have all since been reopened.
All across New Jersey, fire danger is considered very high, according to New Jersey DEP.
This Burlington County fire is just the latest as thousands of acres have burned across the region over the last several weeks.
Former Hainesport Mayor Bruce MacLachlan says he has never seen it this bad.
“You hear about fire danger everywhere but you never think it’s gonna come to your neighborhood or your town,” he said.
The drought the region is experiencing has been fueling these fires. Much-needed rainfall is expected to arrive Wednesday into very early Thursday.
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