2022 NJ wildfire season: new growth in forest after Mullica River Fire

About six weeks ago the Mullica River Fire (see my June 21st post for more information) burned approximately 13,500 acres in a remote section of the Wharton State Fire. The cause of the fire was an illegal campfire. It was the largest wildfire in New Jersey in 15 years. I think it is very cool that new growth is stating to appear in the burn area. For more information see this great July 31st article by Steven Rodas on NJ Advance Media. I love seeing new growth in areas recently burned by wildfires. in the case of the NJ Pine Barrens this speaks to the fact that the forest is adapted to fire. If you scroll down to the bottom of Rodas' July 31st article you should see a link to photo gallery  showing 27 photos featuring new growth in the Wharton State Forest. Finally, included in the article is a link to a YouTube video where NJ Forest Fire Service officials and other State officials discuss the new growth in the forest, and a discussion of possible changes in the New Jersey wildfire season due to climate change. I am embedding the video below, it is a two-minute video, please watch it. Thanks to the NJ Forest Fire Service for your great work containing and mopping up after this fire. No lives were lost and as far as I know, no one was injured

Direct link to video on YouTube from NJ Advance Media (NJ dot com)

2022 NJ Wildfire Season: Maple Branch Fire (Wharton State Forest)

July 13th, 9:15 AM

The Maple Branch Fire is 100% contained at 98 acres, no structures were damaged. See this tweet from the NJ Forest Fire Service for more information and some photos.

July 12th, 6 PM

This just in. Another wildfire, the Maple Branch Fire, in Wharton State Forest has burned 40 acres. Seven structures are threatened. I saw an article about the fire on New Jersey Advance Media a short time ago, the article may be found here.

WILDFIRE UPDATE: Wharton State Forest – Maple Branch Fire – Washington Township @njdepforestfire is battling a wildfire in Wharton State Forest which has reached 40 acres in size and is 15% contained.

Crews have begun a backfiring operation to aide in containment. pic.twitter.com/miT0zUbfTu

— New Jersey Forest Fire Service (@njdepforestfire) July 12, 2022

2022 NJ wildfire season: Meadow Road Fire (Middlesex County)

As I was making my rounds yesterday afteroon on the internet to see wildfire and related news in New Jersey, I learned about the Meadow Road wildfire that was burning in Edison (Middlesex County), NJ. The fire which was reported early in the afternoon of July 5th was reported to be 100 percent contained at about 6 PM on July 5th, 59 acres were burned. As I understand it, no structures were burned and there were no injuries. New Jersey News 12 reported on this fire on July 5th here.

I want to thank the New Jersey Forest Fire Service and mutual aid responders for working this fire and containing the fire a few hours after the fire was reported. I have learned over the years that what might start out a smaller or moderate sized fire can sometimes turn into a larger fire that could threaten homes, businesses, and cause injuries to firefighters and civilians. That did not happen here.

WILDFIRE UPDATE: Meadow Road, Edison, Middlesex County

At 6 p.m. Tuesday, July 5, the New Jersey Forest Fire Service has achieved 100 percent containment of a 59-acre wildfire off Meadow Road in Edison. pic.twitter.com/OmfpoIl3dU

— New Jersey Forest Fire Service (@njdepforestfire) July 5, 2022

2022 NJ wildfire season: Brickworks Fire (Ocean County NJ)

I just found out that the Brickworks wildfire was reported in the Brendon T. Byrne State Forest on Sunday, June 26th. For a short time on Sunday, 7 structures were threatened, these structures are no longer threatened. No injuries were reported. Crews from the NJ Forest Fire Service worked yesterday afternoon and evening to contain the fire.The fire burned 315 acres and as of 10 AM Monday was at 100 percent containment. New Jersey Advance Media reported on this wildfire on June 27th. The NJ Forest Fire Service reported on this fire this morning on their Twitter Feed, here.

2022 NJ wildfire season: Mullica River Fire June 21st update (Burlington County NJ)

June 21st, 4:15 PM

WILDFIRE UPDATE: Wharton State Forest – Mullica River Fire@njdepforestfire continues to make substantial progress in containing a wildfire in Wharton State Forest -Washington, Shamong, Hammonton & Mullica Townships- which has reached 13,500 acres in size and is 95% contained. pic.twitter.com/BRwO0Exo6Q

— New Jersey Forest Fire Service (@njdepforestfire) June 21, 2022

June 21st, 11:30 AM

WILDFIRE UPDATE: Wharton State Forest – Mullica River Fire@njdepforestfire continues to make substantial progress in containing a wildfire in Wharton State Forest -Washington, Shamong, Hammonton & Mullica Townships- which has reached 13,500 acres in size and is 85% contained. pic.twitter.com/zrukHezWJM

— New Jersey Forest Fire Service (@njdepforestfire) June 21, 2022

I am writing to update the two posts I made yesterday on the Mullica River Fire (June 20th, 7 AM and my second post on June 20th, last updated at 9:30 PM. As of 11 AM this morning the Mullica River Fire, first reported on Sunday, June 19th, has burned about 13,500 acres in Wharton State Forest in Burlington County, NJ and is 85 percent contained. Campground and boat launches remain closed. Roads that were closed yesterday are now open. New Jersey Advance Media is one of many media outlets in the New Jersey region covering the fire, here is their latest article (June 20th, 9:30 PM) including a photo gallery. Bill Gabbert of Wildfire Today wrote a nice article on the afternoon of June 20th with a nice map (he does great maps) locating the fire. 

Here is a nice video from the Associated Press (dated June 20th) covering the Mullica River Fire including excerpts from yesterday's press conference with New Jersey Forest Fire Service (NJFFS) Chief Gregory McClaughlin and Shawn Latourette, Commissioner of the NJ State Department of Environmental Protection (the NJFFS is under the umbrella of the NJ State Department of Environmental Protection.

Direct link to video from the Associated Press on YouTube

2022 NJ wildfire season: Mullica River Fire (Burlington County NJ) update

June 20th, 7:30 PM

WILDFIRE UPDATE: Wharton State Forest – Mullica River Fire @njdepforestfire is making substantial progress in containing a wildfire in Wharton State Forest - Washington, Shamong, Hammonton & Mullica Townships - which has reached 12,000 acres in size and is 70% contained. pic.twitter.com/Ot7irTke7v

— New Jersey Forest Fire Service (@njdepforestfire) June 20, 2022

June 20th, 4:20 PM

The first tweet that I want to share regarding the Mullica River Fire is from the NWS Mount Holly NJ. Most of you may know that the GOES 16 satellite is capable of displaying wildfire signatures (go here for more information on how GOES 16 detects wildfires ). The NWS Mount Holly shared an image from GOES 16 showing the fire signature from the Mullica Hill Fire. I have seen GOES imagery of fire signatures in other parts of the United States, I believe that this is one of the first times I have seen satellite imagery of a wildfire signature from New Jersey. New Jersey Advance Media has some nice photos of the fire, they area also reporting that this could be the largest fire in fifteen years. We will have to wait and see about that until the final numbers are in.

Another pleasant, dry, sunny day in progress for most of the area - we hope you're enjoying! Certainly the most notable feature this afternoon is the large forest fire burning over southern NJ. Our GOES-16 satellite is designed to aid in fire detection. #NJwx #PAwx #DEwx #MDwx pic.twitter.com/lyH5Fjf4SJ

— NWS Mount Holly (@NWS_MountHolly) June 20, 2022

Now for the late afternoon update from the New Jersey Forest Service. The Mullica River Fire has burned 11,000 acres. The New Jersey Forest Fire Service continues to conduct burnout operations. Structure protection of the 18 threatened structures continues with the support of mutual aid from many local fire companies. Campgrounds and boat launches in the vicinity of the fire continue to be closed. No injuries have been reported and roads in the area of the fire (Routes 206 and 52 continue to be closed.

WILDFIRE UPDATE: Wharton State Forest – Mullica River Fire @njdepforestfire continues to make progress on containing a wildfire in Wharton State Forest - Washington, Shamong, Hammonton & Mullica Townships - which has reached 11,000 acres in size and is 50% contained. pic.twitter.com/PolKbFQvCz

— New Jersey Forest Fire Service (@njdepforestfire) June 20, 2022

New Jersey Advance Media has some nice photos of the fire, they are also reporting that this could be the largest fire in fifteen years. At this point, I will wait until the fire is controlled with final total acreage burned to see if this fire is the largest in fifteen years. The Warren Grove fire (May 2007) burned approximately 17,000 acres (for more information see my May 16, 2022 and my April 5, 2019 articles.

June 20th, 11:23 AM

I posted earlier this morning (see this post for some links). According to the morning update from the NJ Forest Fire Service, tweet embedded below, the Mullica River Fire has burned 7,200 acres in Wharton State Forest in Burlington County, NJ. The New Jersey Forest Fire Service continues backfiring operations. Eighteen structures are threatened, structure protection aided by mutual aid from local fire departments is in place. No injuries have been reported. As I get new information from the NJ Forest Fire Service and/or other news reports about the fire I will update this thread. Stay tuned.

WILDFIRE UPDATE: Wharton State Forest – Mullica River Fire @njdepforestfire continues to make progress on containing a wildfire in Wharton State Forest - Washington, Shamong, Hammonton & Mullica Townships - which has reached 7,200 acres in size and is 45% contained. pic.twitter.com/2oi9YbFmRs

— New Jersey Forest Fire Service (@njdepforestfire) June 20, 2022

2022 NJ wildfire season: Mullica River Fire (Wharton State Forest, Burlington County, NJ)

Direct link to video from CBS Philly

As I write this the Mullica River Fire has burned 2,100 acres (20% containment) in Wharton State Forest in Washington Township, Burlington County,NJ, The fire was reported early Sunday morning (June 19th). Evacuation orders are in place for the Paradise Lake Campgrounds where six structures are threatened. Nearby boat launches and trails are closed. In addition to the video from CBS Philly, NBC10 10 in Philadelphia is reporting on the fire here. I believe that the New Jersey Forest Fire Service will be providing another update later this morning, stay tuned. Click on "read the full conversation on Twitter" in the first embedded tweet to read the complete June 19th evening update from the NJ Forest Fire Service. 

My friends at the NJ Forest Fire Service Section B10 are reporting on this fire (scroll down to the bottom of the page), however if you are arriving here after the fire is contained they may no longer have information about this fire.

WILDFIRE UPDATE: Wharton State Forest – Mullica River Fire@njdepforestfire continues to fight a wildfire fueled by dry and breezy conditions in Wharton State Forest - Washington, Shamong, Hammonton & Mullica Townships- which has reached 2,100 acres in size and is 20% contained. pic.twitter.com/6W1iAZNnyZ

— New Jersey Forest Fire Service (@njdepforestfire) June 20, 2022

Here is a radar image of the smoke plume from the fire in Wharton St. Forest courtesy of the NWS at Mt. Holly NJ

 

The smoke plume from the Mullica River Fire is visible on our radar presently. Visibility at Atlantic City International Airport is now below 2 miles. Use caution if traveling in the area overnight, & please comply with posted road closures. Follow @njdepforestfire for the latest pic.twitter.com/IPEbl4qQnX

— NWS Mount Holly (@NWS_MountHolly) June 20, 2022

2022 New Jersey wildfire season: Tanker 61 working the Aero Haven Fire (Burlington County)

I want to take a moment to share with you some photos and a video of Tanker 61 (Air Tractor 602) working the Aero Haven Fire on Sunday, May 1st. The Aero Haven Fire burned 63 acres and was 100 percent contained by Sunday afternoon, see my May 1st post for more information. The video and the photos are courtesy of Downstown Aero Crop Service, Inc and were shared on their Facebook Page.

In this 9 second video you will see Tanker 61 being reloaded.

Here are five nice shots of Tanker 61 working the Aero Haven Fire. Note to see all the photos click on the date at the top of the embedded post from Facebook and you will be able to see all five photos.

Thank-you Tanker 61, for flying the fire to help the wildland fire fighters fight the fire. Thanks also to the ground crews from Downstown and elsewhere who supported Tanker 61 on the ground.

2022 New Jersey wildfire season: wildfire in Burlington County

May 1, 2:55 PM

The Aerohaven Fire in Evesham Township, Burlington County NJ has been contained at 63 acres. Nice job. I understand that Tanker 61 and Delta 2 (helicopter) worked this fire. There were no evacuations and no structures were threatened.

WILDFIRE UPDATE: Evesham Township, Burlington County

At 2 p.m. Sunday, May 1, the New Jersey Forest Fire Service has achieved 100 percent containment of a 63-acre wildfire off Kettle Run Road in Evesham Township. The fire has been named the “Aerohaven Wildfire.” pic.twitter.com/iVntY7H0PJ

— New Jersey Forest Fire Service (@njdepforestfire) May 1, 2022

May 1, 12:30 PM

This just in from the New Jersey Forest Fire Service's Twitter Account, wildfire in Evesham Township, Burlington County. I will post updates as I can.

WILDFIRE ALERT: Evesham Township, Burlington County@njdepforestfire is responding to an active wildfire off Kettle Run Road in Evesham Township.

No structures are threatened. Updates will be provided as they are available. pic.twitter.com/f80DEk3B5f

— New Jersey Forest Fire Service (@njdepforestfire) May 1, 2022

 

2022 NJ wildfire season: Red Flag Warning (April 28)

 

obtained on April 28, 2022 from https://www.weather.gov/phi/ 

2022 NJ wildfire season: enhanced fire danger

I wrote on April 8 reflecting on then recent rainfall wondering if drought conditions in New Jersey would diminish. The answer is yes, most of New Jersey is no longer under drought conditions. Only southern New Jersey is abnormally dry. While I am happy that my area of New Jersey is no longer seeing drought conditions, I am aware that wild fire danger is always present.

Obtained on April 22, 2022 from https://droughtmonitor.unl.edu/CurrentMap/StateDroughtMonitor.aspx?NJ

Dry conditions can exacerbate fire danger, but fire danger exists without a drought because other factors such as high winds and low relative humidity values play into wildfire danger. And fuels and soil can dry quickly after a rainfall. Today we in New Jersey are under enhanced fire weather warnings. I want to thank the New Jersey Forest Fire for all that they will do today to keep us in New Jersey as safe as we can be from wildfires. Be safe out there.

Special Weather Statement

National Weather Service Mount Holly NJ

405 AM EDT Fri Apr 22 2022

...Enhanced Threat for Fire Spread Today...

The combination of lower humidity values, breezy conditions, and drying fine fuels will lead to an enhanced threat for fire spread today across portions of eastern Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Delaware, and eastern Maryland. Relative humidity values are forecast to drop into the 20s to around 30 percent, while winds will gust out of the northwest around 20 to 25 mph at times.

Residents are urged to exercise caution handling any potential ignition source, including machinery, cigarettes, and matches. Be sure to properly discard all smoking materials. Any dry grasses and tree litter that ignites will have the potential to spread fire quickly.

For more information about wildfire danger, burn restrictions, and wildfire prevention and education, please visit your state forestry or environmental protection website.

2022 NJ wildfire season: a new wildfire in Ramapo Reservation (Mahwah, Bergen County)

 I wrote a couple of days about a wildfire in Ramapo Reservation in Bergen County, New Jersey (see my April 16th post). On Wednesday April 20th a new wildfire was reported in Ramapo Reservation. The wildfire is about 40 acres, no residences were threatened or destroyed. According to my friends from the NJ Forest Fire Service Section B10 two helicopters worked the wildfire.

2022 NJ wildfire season: wildfire in Ramapo Reservation

April 17, 2022 update fire contained on April 16th

April 16, 2022 7 AM

This just in. NJ Forest Fire Service crews are working a wildfire in Ramapo Reservation in Bergen County in northern New Jersey. The County has closed the park. I do not know the size of the fire.

2022 NJ wildfire season: April 15th

The NWS at Mt. Holly issued a special weather statement for enhanced fire weather concerns for southern and central New Jersey along with portions of southeast Pennsylvania earlier today:

Fire Weather Planning Forecast

National Weather Service Mount Holly NJ 

1007 AM EDT Fri Apr 15 2022.

DISCUSSION...

A very dry air mass is forecast to build into our region for today. Relative humidity values are expected to fall to around 20 percent in the afternoon. A south to southwest wind is  anticipated to increase to 10 to 15 MPH with gusts around 20  MPH, resulting in some fire weather concerns. Rain amounts were light and spotty for portions of PA and NJ yesterday, so after coordination with PA and NJ state partners, we have issued aspecial weather statement for portions of SE PA (with theexception of Carbon and Monroe where the fire weather season has yet to begin), and central and southern NJ.

We are expecting an increase in relative humidity values along with scattered showers on Saturday, mainly in the afternoon and evening. However, breezy dry conditions will likely return for Sunday and we may again need to focus on fire weather concerns at that time.

Small wildfire in central New Jersey

Thanks to my friends at the NJFFS Section B10 website who reported on a wildfire in Pemberton Township, NJ. There was some spotting. Tanker 61 worked the fire and there was an observation helicopter in the air. I am not sure of the size, only that it was a multi-acre fire. If I hear of other wildfires in New Jersey I will make another post, however, there are likely to be small wildfires that I do not know about.

2022 NJ wildfire season: spring wildfire season has begun, fire safety and ember awareness

We are now in the spring wildfire season here in New Jersey with SEATs on contract through the second week of May: through May 10th in Southern New Jersey NJFFS Division C and through May 12th in Division B. As for northern New Jersey (Division A), last year they had a helicopter with bucket available during spring fire season and I assume but am not certain that the same holds for this year.

Just today I came across this video from the NJ Department of Environmental Protections and the NJ Forest Fire Service called "Ember Awareness" about the threat of ember attacks during a wildfire. The New Jersey State Forest Fire Service has a webpage with publications on what homeowners can do to prepare their homes and property for wildfires, this webpage may be found here. While some of this information may be specific to New Jersey, I think that it might be applicable elsewhere. When I went to this site just now I saw the following publications:

• Firewise USA
• Firewise landscaping in New Jersey
• How to prepare your home for wildfires
• Ready, Set, Go

Direct link to video on Youtube from Discover DEP-NJ Department of Environmental Protection

This just in: wildfire in Wharton State Forest NJ

April 5 7:20 PM

Thanks to my friends from the NJ Forest Fire Service Section B10 for telling me about a 62 acre wildfire burning near High Crossing, a ghost town located in Wharton State Forest in Burlington County, NJ (NJFFS Section B3). I know no other information at present. I will update this post when I know more information. 

April 6 8:42 AM

I have no further information about the 62 acre fire in Wharton State Forest. I do know that it rained across all or much of New Jersey last night. If there was rainfall over this fire then I expect that the rain aided the firefighters. 

2022 NJ wildfire season: Prescribed burns (March 29th & 30th)

The New Jersey Forest Fire Service continues to conduct prescribed burns this week. The schedule of prescribed burns is dependent on favorable weather conditions.

March 29th (see NJFFS March 29th Facebook post)

Burlington County 

- Pemberton Township - Brendan T Byrne State Forest

- Pemberton Township - Private Property 

Ocean County

- Lacey Township - Greenwood Forest Wildlife Management Area

- Manchester Township - Brendan T Byrne State Forest

- Jackson Township - Municipal Property

Passaic County 

- Ringwood Borough - Ringwood State Park

Somerset County 

- Bernards Township - County Property

March 30th (see NJFFS March 30th Facebook Post)

Burlington County 

- Pemberton Township - Brendan T Byrne State Forest

- Woodland Township - Private Property 

Cumberland County 

- Downe Township - Millville Wildlife Management Area

- Lawrence Township - Millville Wildlife Management Area

Monmouth County

- Wall Township - Private Property 

Ocean County

- Jackson Township - Colliers Mills Wildlife Management Area

- Manchester Township - Brendan T Byrne State Forest

Sussex County 

- Andover Township - Kittatinny Valley State Park

Obtained on March 30, 2022 from https://www2.census.gov/geo/maps/general_ref/stco_outline/cen2k_pgsz/stco_NJ.pdf

2022 NJ wildfire season: March 28th update

 As I write this, it is abnormally cold with windy conditions as we approach spring fire season. We are also in a period of abnormally dry conditions in the northern part of New Jersey. I am not sure what these abnormally dry conditions bode for New Jersey, but I suspect that in the short term the dry conditions will complicate the spring fire season as dry conditions only increase wildfire danger. Today’s Fire Weather Planning Forecast from the NWS Mt Holly provides an overview of today’s fire weather concerns. Note that this is a planning forecast, New Jersey is not under a Red Flag Warning nor is there a Special Weather Statement for elevated wildfire concerns. to make matters even more interesting there is a chance of snow showers this afternoon.

Obtained on March 28, 2022 from https://droughtmonitor.unl.edu/

Fire Weather Planning Forecast

 National Weather Service Mount Holly NJ

 1006 AM EDT Mon Mar 28 2022

 

 .DISCUSSION...

 A cold and dry airmass will be in place today. Surface dew points 

 drop into the single digits to as low as 5 below, and west-northwest 

 winds 15 to 20 mph with gusts to 25 to 35 mph. Minimum relative 

 humidity values today will range from 20 to 25 percent (a little 

 higher in parts of the southern Poconos). Although scattered 

 flurries are possible in the afternoon, measurable precip is not 

 expected.

 

 Conditions only slightly improve on Tuesday with northwesterly

 winds 10 to 15 mph with gusts to 25 mph, and minimum relative

 humidity values ranging from 20-25% for most locations. There 

 will be much more sunshine Tuesday compared to today and 

 slightly warmer temperatures in the low to mid 40s.

It is brisk and cold here but I know that the NJ Forest Fire Service is taking care of those of us in New Jersey to keep us as safe as possible from wildfires. According to the NJ Forest Fire Service Section B10  , fire towers in northern (NJFFS Section A) and Central New Jersey (NJFFS Section B) are staffed today, March 28th. Note that they NJFFS updates their website frequently so what you see may be different. I have no idea if these towers have a source of heat, if not it is cold. Likewise, if there is a wildfire, no matter how small, crews from the NJFFS along with local mutual aid as applicable will fight the wildfire.

Thank-you NJFFS!  

2022 NJ wildfire season: fire activity and prescribed burning (March 21)

The New Jersey Forest Fire Service continues to be busy working wildfires to keep us safe and finishing up with prescribed burns. 

A wildfire was reported on Saturday, March 20th in Leisuretown, Southampton Township (Burlington County, NJ). This 50 acre wildfire is currently at 75% containment.

NJ Forest Fire Service Fire Towers are being staffed:

In the meantime prescribed burns are being conducted today, March 21st in Morris County, Somerset County and Ocean County.

2022 NJ wildfire season: prescribed burns (March 1st to 4th)

The New Jersey Forest Fire Service (NJFFS) continues with their late winter/early spring prescribed burning season as weather conditions allow. As always, conducting scheduled prescribed burns is weather dependent and the schedule may change.

The NJFFS scheduled the following prescribed burns on March 1, March 2, and March 4. In putting together this list, I eliminated duplicates, and errors are my responsibility. All of these prescribed burns are in central and southern New Jersey.

Atlantic County 

• Estell Manor City - Tuckahoe Wildlife Management Area
• Galloway Township - Other State Property 
• Hamilton Township - Great Egg Harbor River Wildlife Management Area 
• Hamilton Township - County Property 

Burlington County 

• Tabernacle Township - Private Property
• Washington Township - Wharton State Forest
• Woodland Township - Brendan T Byrne State Forest

Camden County 

• Winslow Township - Other State Property

Cape May County 

• Lower Township - Higbee Beach Wildlife Management Area
• Upper Township - Peaslee Wildlife Management Area 
• Upper Township - Private Property 

Cumberland County

• Commercial Township - Millville Wildlife Management Area 
• Millville City - Buckshutem Wildlife Management Area
• Millville City - Union Lake Wildlife Management Area

Gloucester County 

• Clayton Borough - Glassboro Wildlife Management Area
• Franklin Township - Private Property 
• Glassboro Borough - Glassboro Wildlife Management Area
• Monroe Township - Glassboro Wildlife Management Area

Monmouth County

• Manchester Township - County Property
• Millstone Township - Assunpink Wildlife Management Area
• Roosevelt Borough - Assunpink Wildlife Management Area
• Upper Freehold Township - Assunpink Wildlife Management Area
• Upper Freehold Township - Pleasant Run Wildlife Management Area
• Upper Freehold Township - Pleasant Run Wildlife Management Area 
• Wall Township - Allaire State Park 
• Wall Township - Manasquan River Wildlife Management Area 

Ocean County 

• Barnegat Township - Greenwood Forest Wildlife Management Area
• Berkeley Township - County Property 
• Berkeley Township - Crossley Preserve
• Brick Township - Manasquan River Wildlife Management Area
• Jackson Township - Private Property
• Plumsted Township - Private Property 
• Ocean Township - County Property