Thursday, May 07, 2015

Just in - wildfire in NJ PIne Barrens - Wharton St. Forest

Latest update at top, scroll down to see earlier updates.

May 8, 8:30 AM EDT
The Atsion Wildfire remains at approximately 710 acres burned. The fire, which started on May 7th early afternoon in the Atsion Lakes area of the Wharton State Forest in Burlington County NJ (Shamong Twsp), is at 75 percent containment according to a report earlier this morning from MyFoxPhilly (updated at 7:42 AM EDT with photos and a video). Photos from 6ABC (Philadelphia).

FOX 29 News Philadelphia | WTXF-TV
direct link to video

May 7, 8:55 PM EDT
I have learned from B10 NJ Wildland Fire Page that what I have been calling the Atsion Lake Wildfire is designated as the Atsion Wildfire. The Atsion Wildfire began this afternoon behind the Atsion Ranger Station in Wharton State Forest (Shamong Twsp, Burlington County NJ) east of US Route 206 and remains at 710 acres (including burnout operations). Aircraft operations have been suspended for the night. Scroll down for map and for photos taken from Charlie 1 (AT-602) earlier this afternoon.


direct link to aerial footage from NBC10 in Philadelphia of Atsion Lakes Fire taken earlier today

May 7, 6:20 PM EDT
Atsion Lake Fire remains at about 700 acres burned and zero containment.

report from 6 ABC with video (earlier this afternoon) and photos, updated 6:10 PM


Map of Atsion Lake Area Fire, NJFFS Section B1, May 7, 2015, Fire Activity detected by GOES Satellite


May 7, 5:22 PM EDT

Am hearing a report from the NJ Forest Fire Service Division B online scanner feed that the fire has burned about 700 acres and remains at zero containment. I just saw another live report from live stream from NBC10 (Philadelphia) confirming that the fire has burned in excess of 700 acres.

Photos taken by Ed Carter Jr., pilot of Charlie 1 (Downstown Aero's AT-602 under contract with the NJ Forest Fire Service) on the way to the Atsion fire. Photos shared with his permission. Thanks Ed for all you are doing to work this fire.


May 7, 2015 Wildfire burning in Atsion Lake Area of Wharton State Forest, Burlington County NJ. Photo taken from cockpit of Charlie 1

May 7, 2015 Wildfire burning in Atsion Lake Area of Wharton State Forest, Burlington County NJ. Photo taken from cockpit of Charlie 1

May 7, 2015 Wildfire burning in Atsion Lake Area of Wharton State Forest, Burlington County NJ.  Photo taken from cockpit of Charlie 1

May 7, 2015 Wildfire burning in Atsion Lake Area of Wharton State Forest, Burlington County NJ.  Photo taken from cockpit of Charlie 1

May 7, 4:55 PM EDT

Well, I continue to listen to the NJ Forest Fire Service Division B online scanner feed, taking a break periodically to watch live stream from NBC10 (Philadelphia). I just caught a live report about 10 minutes from NBC10, they are reporting that the fire in the Atsion area (Shamong Twsp) of Wharton State Forest has burned at least 100 acres and that residents have been allowed back to their homes. I just listened to another live report with video of the wildfire and the helicopter and bucket working the fire.
May 7, 4:30 PM EDT

This just in, there is a large wildfire (size not know at this time) burning near Wharton State Forest in the Atsion area (NJFFS Section B1) of Burlington County, NJ. A SEAT and a helicopter with a bucket are reported to be working the fire. Evacuations are in place and US Route 206 is closed between Route 30 and Atsion Road. For more information see: 6ABC (photos) and Philly dot com. The fire started earlier this afternoon and is of unknown origin.

I am listening to the NJ Forest Fire Service Division B online scanner feed as I write this.

I'll be updating this thread as I can, so stay tuned.

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