Wednesday, November 27, 2013

"Old Fire" (Old Bridge NJ) contained

As some of you may know, we here on the east coast of the U.S. have been under the influence of a coastal low that has brought rain and snow. According to my friends from New Jersey Forest Fire Service (NJFFS) Section B10, there was 1.8 inches on the fire near Old Bridge NJ that I wrote about on Nov. 24 and again  on Nov. 25. The fire, named the "Old Fire" because it started near Old Road, burned 230 acres and was declared contained at 8 AM this morning. I expect that rain probably helped to bring this fire into containment. 

A special thank-you to all firefighters on the ground and in air who worked the various wildfires in NJ, NY and elsewhere in the eastern region over this past weekend. I hope that with the rains, you can catch up on your sleep and then enjoy the holiday with your family and friends. You worked in very cold in windy conditions on Sunday, and those of you who where working or moping up a fire yesterday and last night where working in rain (and perhaps snow??). Thank-you for all you do to keep us in the eastern region safe from wildfires.

Speaking of rain, I am thankful for the rain that we here in NJ have received from this storm as it has been dry here the last couple of months. Not as dry, of course, as other areas of the U.S. I am sure that the NJFFS wildland firefighters and firefighters who provided mutual aid on the various wildfires around the state last weekend (and firefighters elsewhere on the east coast) are glad for the rain. Granted it comes on the busiest travel day of the year here in America. 


For those who are traveling today, stay safe.

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