NJ - Paramount Fire

The Paramount Fire, currently burning in Barnegat NJ in or near the Pine Barrens, has been burning since sometime yesterday (Saturday, March 20). The last offcial report that I saw dated earlier today, see this thread from wildland fire, indicated that the fire had consumed 488 acres and is 85 percent contained. About sixty residents were evacuated yesterday and are now home.

At least one contract aircraft, an Air Tractor 602, was deployed. The tanks in the AT-602 have a capacity of 600 gallons.

I don't know exactly where the fire is, but thanks to the report on the webpage of Section B10 of the New Jersey Forest Fire Service, I have a pretty good idea of the general vicinity where the fire is located. The image below that I pulled from google earth will give you an idea of where I think it is located, near County Route 554 (which I believe is also W. Bay Ave.) on the west side of the Garden State Parkway.

While you are at the Section B10 webpage, check out the links for photos from the Paramount fire. And they have lots of very cool information about the goings on of the NJ Forest Fire Service. I have this page bookmarked and check it frequently.

For media reports and photos go here and here. According to media reports, some of this area was last burned in 2008. The media also reported that although the ground was still wet, the tops of the trees were dry, providing plenty of fuel for the fire.