2025 Wildfire Season: Tablerock Wildfire & other Wildfires in North Carolina

Direct link to video from WLOS News 13 on YouTube.

I have been aware of the many wildfires burning in North and South Carolina for several days. I spent some time in North Carolina outside of Asheville several years ago and still remember the beautiful country in the mountains and valleys in western North Carolina, and I am saddened by these wildfires. The video that I shared above highlights several of the wildfires currently burning in North and South Carolina where recent rains have helped wildland firefighters achieve higher containment levels. Thanks to my friends at the B10 NJ Wildland Fire Page who shared this video on their website today.

One of the wildfires of note that I have heard of through my news feed is the Table Rock Fire that has currently burned 15,642 acres in northern South Carolina and bordering North Carolina. As I write this post, it is at 70 percent containment and is caused by humans. The fire was first reported on March 24th.

Direct link to video from Carolina Fox on YouTube

CL415 Super Scoopers

Direct link to post from The Film Gate (with stock footage) on YouTube

I have been thinking about the CL415 Super Scoopers today because I know from a Facebook Post that they are working the wildfires currently burning in North Carolina. Thanks for helping my friends out in North Carolina.

2025 New Jersey Wildfire Season: Elevated Wildfire Risk (March 29th)

Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Mount Holly NJ
559 AM EDT Sat Mar 29 2025

NJZ001-007>010-012>027-292300-
Sussex-Warren-Morris-Hunterdon-Somerset-Middlesex-
Western Monmouth-Eastern Monmouth-Mercer-Salem-Gloucester-Camden-
Northwestern Burlington-Ocean-Cumberland-Atlantic-Cape May-
Atlantic Coastal Cape May-Coastal Atlantic-Coastal Ocean-
Southeastern Burlington-
Including the cities of Newton, Washington, Morristown,
Flemington, Somerville, New Brunswick, Freehold, Sandy Hook,
Trenton, Pennsville, Glassboro, Camden, Cherry Hill, Moorestown,
Mount Holly, Jackson, Millville, Hammonton, Cape May Court House,
Ocean City, Atlantic City, Long Beach Island,
and Wharton State Forest
559 AM EDT Sat Mar 29 2025

...Increased Risk of Rapid Fire Spread This Afternoon...

There is an increased risk for rapid fire spread this afternoon
across much of New Jersey. Minimum relative humidity values will
be around 30 to 35 percent combined with southwest winds of 10 to
20 mph with gusts up to 35 mph. High temperatures will be in the
upper 70s to low 80s. These conditions, along with the continued
drying of fine fuels, could support the rapid spread of any fires
that ignite, which could quickly become difficult to control.

Outdoor burning is strongly discouraged. Be sure to properly
extinguish or dispose of any potential ignition sources, including
smoking materials such as cigarette butts.

Special Weather Statement...CORRECTED
National Weather Service New York NY
618 AM EDT Sat Mar 29 2025

NJZ002-004-006-103>108-NYZ074-292100-
Western Passaic-Eastern Passaic-Hudson-Western Bergen-
Eastern Bergen-Western Essex-Eastern Essex-Western Union-
Eastern Union-Richmond (Staten Island)-
618 AM EDT Sat Mar 29 2025

...ELEVATED RISK OF RAPID WILDFIRE GROWTH AND SPREAD TODAY...

High temperatures in the upper 70s and lower 80s, southwest winds
15 to 20 mph with frequent gusts 25 to 30 mph, relative humidity
as low as 30 to 35 percent, and lack of wetting rains over the
last 4 days will create an elevated risk for wildfire growth and
spread today.

Exercise caution handling any potential ignition sources,
including machinery, cigarettes, and matches. Any fires that
ignite under these conditions have the potential to spread
quickly.

This forecast considers meteorological, fuel, and land conditions
and was developed in coordination with state fire and land
management officials. 

Friday Fun: Aerial (Agricultural) Spraying

 It is time for some Friday Fun focusing on aviation. As a non-pilot member of the AOPA (Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association) I know that they produce interesting aviation related videos both for their members and the general public. I happened upon an AOPA video looking at an Aerial Spraying Operator in my part of the world in the Mid-Atlantic area of the United States. The video that I am sharing hear is about Chroman Spraying's aerial spraying operations. You will hear Jeff Chroman talk about the history of Chorman Spraying, their focus on aerial spraying for agriculture and learn a little about the different types of aircraft they fly, all configured for aerial operations. There is also some nice footage of their aircraft spraying. Enjoy. The video is under seven minutes.

Direct link to video from the AOPA on YouTube

2025 New Jersey Wildfire Season: Elevated Wildfire Risk (March 27th)

Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Mount Holly NJ
316 AM EDT Thu Mar 27 2025

NJZ001-007>010-012>027-271800-
Sussex-Warren-Morris-Hunterdon-Somerset-Middlesex-
Western Monmouth-Eastern Monmouth-Mercer-Salem-Gloucester-Camden-
Northwestern Burlington-Ocean-Cumberland-Atlantic-Cape May-
Atlantic Coastal Cape May-Coastal Atlantic-Coastal Ocean-
Southeastern Burlington-
Including the cities of Newton, Washington, Morristown,
Flemington, Somerville, New Brunswick, Freehold, Sandy Hook,
Trenton, Pennsville, Glassboro, Camden, Cherry Hill, Moorestown,
Mount Holly, Jackson, Millville, Hammonton, Cape May Court House,
Ocean City, Atlantic City, Long Beach Island,
and Wharton State Forest
316 AM EDT Thu Mar 27 2025

...Increased Risk of Rapid Fire Spread Later Today...
There is an increased risk for rapid fire spread later today
across portions of New Jersey. Minimum relative humidity values
will be around 20 percent combined with west to northwest winds of
10 to 20 mph with gusts up to 25 mph. High temperatures today
will be in the mid to upper 50s. These conditions, along with the
continued drying of fine fuels, could support the rapid spread of
any fires that ignite, which could quickly become difficult to
control.
Outdoor burning is strongly discouraged. Be sure to properly
extinguish or dispose of any potential ignition sources, including
smoking materials such as cigarette butts. 

Special Weather Statement

National Weather Service New York NY

407 PM EDT Wed Mar 26 2025

NJZ002-004-006-103>108-NYZ074-272300-

Western Passaic-Eastern Passaic-Hudson-Western Bergen-

Eastern Bergen-Western Essex-Eastern Essex-Western Union-

Eastern Union-Richmond (Staten Island)-

407 PM EDT Wed Mar 26 2025

...ELEVATED RISK FOR FIRE SPREAD THURSDAY...

The combination of low relative humidity values between 20 and 30

percent and wind gusts 20 to 25 mph will create an elevated risk

for fire spread across the region on Thursday.

Exercise caution handling any potential ignition sources, including

machinery, cigarettes, and matches. Any fires that ignite will have

the potential to spread quickly.

This forecast considers meteorological, fuel, and land conditions

and has been developed in coordination with state fire and land

management officials.

2025 Wildfire Season: Devastating Wildfires in South Korea

Direct link to video from WKRN News 2 on YouTube

Thanks to my friends at the B10 NJ Wildfire Page and yesterdays edition (March 25th) of  Wildfire News of the Day by Mike Archer who made me aware of the devastating wildfires in South Korea that have burned over 40,000 acres and killed 24 people, 26 are injured and more than 23,000 people were evacuated. If I am not mistaken the wildfires began on or about Friday, March 21st. The video that I embedded above was shared today on the B10 NJ Wildfire Page. It appears that weather conditions favorable to wildfires will continue in South Korea for at least a day or so. 

Included among the articles shared in yesterday's edition of Wildfire News of the Day are these three articles.

• March 25th report from Reuters
• Satellite images from SciTechDaily
• Photos from the Korea Herald

The 6 minute video that I embed below is from BBC. You will learn more about these wildfires if you take a few moments to watch the video.

Direct link to video from BBC on YouTube

2025 New Jersey Wildfire Season: Elevated Wildfire Risk (March 25th)

Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Mount Holly NJ
819 AM EDT Tue Mar 25 2025

NJZ001-007-PAZ054-055-060>062-101-260000-
Sussex-Warren-Carbon-Monroe-Berks-Lehigh-Northampton-
Western Chester-
Including the cities of Newton, Washington, Jim Thorpe,
Stroudsburg, Reading, Allentown, Bethlehem, Easton, Honey Brook,
and Oxford
819 AM EDT Tue Mar 25 2025

...Increased Risk of Rapid Fire Spread This Afternoon...

There is an increased risk for rapid fire spread this afternoon
across portions of eastern Pennsylvania and northwestern New
Jersey. Minimum relative humidity values will be between 20 and
30 percent combined with west winds of 10-20 mph and gusts of 20
to 30 mph. High temperatures this afternoon will range from
the upper 40s to upper 50s. These conditions along with the
continued drying of fine fuels could support the rapid spread of
any fires that ignite, which could quickly become difficult to
control.

Outdoor burning is strongly discouraged. Be sure to properly
extinguish or dispose of any potential ignition sources, including
smoking materials such as cigarette butts.

$$
RCM

2025 New Jersey Wildfire Season: California Branch Wildfire is Contained

If you are unable to see the graphic that I shared from the post by the NJ Forest Fire Service on Facebook on Monday, March 24th at 8:30 AM, the California Branch is now contained. The California Branch fire that burned 2,336 acres in Wharton State Forest near Waterford in Camden County was first reported at 12:57 PM on Saturday March 23rd by a nearby fire tower and a second fire tower observed the same start so the exact location of the wildfire was identified. The wildfire crossed the Mullica River into Burlington County sometime Saturday night. Two campgrounds near the wildfire in Wharton State Forest were evacuated and I believe that they are now open. All roads in the vicinity of the wildfire are now open. The cause of the wildfire is under investigation. See the above NJFFS post for some photos of the fire. 

Local media covering this wildfire include 

• CBS Philadelphia
• New Jersey dot com
• News 12 New Jersey

Unfortunately, I am unable to share a similar graphic that the NJ Forest Fire Service shared on their X account, formerly Twitter.

2025 New Jersey Wildfire Season: California Branch Wildfire - Wharton State Forest ( March 23rd Update)

March 23rd, 6 PM

As of 6 PM the California Branch Fire has burned 2,300 acres in the Wharton State Forest near Waterford Township in Camden County, NJ. It is 80 percent contained. There continue to be road closures in Wharton State Forest and two campgrounds continue are still evacuated. There are still 18 structures near the wildfire and the fire continues to move away from these structures. Crews with equipment remain on scene fighting this wildfire. For more information not detailed in the NJFFS graphic from the X platform, please go the NJFFS March 23rd, 6 PM post on Facebook. NJ dot com has a current article on this wildfire that may be found here.

WILDFIRE UPDATE: California Branch Wildfire - Wharton State Forest - Waterford, Camden County

The New Jersey Forest Fire Service continues to make significant process containing a wildfire burning in the area of Raritan Ave and Old Atsion Rd in Wharton State Forest. pic.twitter.com/A7y8pUlvDr

— New Jersey Forest Fire Service (@njdepforestfire) March 23, 2025

March 23rd, 8:10 AM

As of 8:10 AM the California Branch Wildfire has burned 1,750 acres and is at 50 percent containment.

The California Branch Wildfire started on Saturday, March 23rd in Wharton State Forest in Waterford Township, Camden County NJ, see my March 22nd post for earlier updates. By 11 PM on March 22nd, the fire had burned 1,000 acres and was at 20 percent containment according to this Facebook Post by the NJ Forest Fire Service. 

According to the 8 AM update on Facebook from the NJFFS Crews from the New Jersey Forest Fire Service (NJFFS) continued to work the fire overnight and are continuing to work the wildfire as I write this. Eighteen structures are located near the wildfire but the wildfire is still moving away from these structures. There are road closures within Wharton State Forest and two campgrounds are closed. Last night the wildfire crossed the Mullica River into Burlington County, NJ. NBC 10 Philadelphia continues to report on the wildfire. The B10 NJ Wildfire Page is reporting on this wildfire on March 23rd.

Unfortunately, I am unable to embed the latest 8AM update from the NJFFS's X account, formerly Twitter. The graphic above is from the NJFFS's Facebook account which I linked to earlier in this paragraph, unfortunately some of you will not be able to see this graphic.

2025 New Jersey Wildfire Season: California Branch Wildfire - Wharton State Forest

March 22nd, 6:15 PM 

WILDFIRE UPDATE: California Branch Wildfire - Wharton State Forest - Waterford, Camden County@NJDEPForestFire is on scene of a wildfire burning in the area of Raritan Ave and Old Atsion Rd in Wharton State Forest.

SIZE & CONTAINMENT
🔥 100 acres
🔥 0% contained pic.twitter.com/ewObYYlZ05

— New Jersey Forest Fire Service (@njdepforestfire) March 22, 2025

According to the New Jersey Forest Fire Service's post on Facebook about this fire at about 4 PM on Saturday, March 22nd, there are road closures in the area of this wildfire. Eighteen structures are threatened with no evacuations. The New Jersey Forest Fire Service is on the scene with engines, bulldozers and ground crews. In addition, there is a New Jersey Forest Fire Service on the scene making aerial observations. The next update is due at 9 PM, and I will try to make an update at that time. I first learned of this fire from my friends at the B10 NJ Wildfire Page. NBC 10 Philadelphia is reporting on this fire in a report that may be found here.

March 22nd, 7:50 PM

WILDFIRE UPDATE: California Branch Wildfire - Wharton State Forest - Waterford, Camden County

The New Jersey Forest Fire Service remains on scene of a wildfire burning in the area of Raritan Ave and Old Atsion Rd in Wharton State Forest. pic.twitter.com/UDjWRQmPug

— New Jersey Forest Fire Service (@njdepforestfire) March 22, 2025

Eighteen structures remain threatened but the wildfire is moving away from these structures. The New Jersey Forest Fire Service remains on scene. This same information with more information on road closures are available on the NJ Forest Fire Service's Facebook page on a 7:45 PM post.