2023 New Jersey Wildfire Season: Photos from a Prescribed Burn

On Saturday November 11 wildland firefighters from New Jersey Forest Fire Service Section A1 and A2 conducted a 25 acre prescribed burn in Montague Township located in northern Sussex County bordering New York and Pennsylvania.

Prescribed burns, aka Rx burns are an important tool to help reduce the risk of wildfires where wildland firefighting crews go in under very specific conditions to set fires to burn away underbrush. Go here to read more about the New Jersey Forest Fire Service's prescribed burning program.

Here are some photos from the NJ Forest Fire Service Section A1 (shared on their Facebook page) of this prescribed burn. Click on the Facebook post below to see the photos.

New Jersey Forest Fire Service: Awards to Seven Interagency Partners

You may recall that I wrote the post on September 22nd on the $3 million dollar increase to the New Jersey Forest Fire Service for investment to replace some of their trucks, hire additional full time workers and additional contracted air support services, linking to a September 21st news release announcing this boost to the NJFFS budget. I knew at this time that when the NJFFS announced this budget boost that they also announced awards to seven Interagency Partners for their work during the spring 2023 wildfire season:

• Christopher Warwick, Trooper II, New Jersey State Police Office of Emergency Management
• Michael Mastronardy, Sheriff, Ocean County Sheriff’s Department
• Kristen Carr, Deputy Emergency Management Coordinator, Burlington County Office of Emergency Management
• Stephen J. Letts, Captain, Fire Investigations K9 Unit, New Jersey State Fire Marshal's Office
• Whiting Volunteer Fire Company No. 1
• West Milford Fire Companies 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 & 6

In addition to the awards to the seven Interagency Partners, Caryn Shinske, "DEP Senior Press Officer Caryn Shinske was given the Smokey Bear Award for Journalism in the Service of Wildfire Prevention in recognition of her work coordinating and facilitating media requests involving the Forest Fire Service." 

When I write about wildfires whether they be in New Jersey or elsewhere, I always try to be mindful of the work of that partners and/or mutual aid do while working with the wildfire crews to work a wildfire. What these partners and/or mutual aid personnel do is very important. Kudos to all partners and mutual aid. 

Towards the end of the spring wildfire season in New Jersey I reached out with a questions, probably via social media. Ms. Shinske got back to me promptly and answered my questions. A shot out to Ms. Shinske for getting back to me while responding to multiple news outlets.

I am embedding the Facebook Post from the New Jersey Forest Fire Service referring to the September 21st DEP press release. Click on "see more" to see the entire post.

New Jersey Forest Fire Service Gets $3 Million Budget Boost

Thanks to my friends from the NJ Forest Fire Service Section B10 who shared a video from CBS Philadelphia  on their webpage this morning, alerting me to the $3 million increase in the NJ Forest Fire Service budget. News 12 New Jersey has also covered this in a September 21st article.

Direct link to video from CBS Philadelphia on YouTube

In a press release dated September 21, 2023, the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection announced that the New Jersey Forest Fire Service is getting an additional $3 million increase in their budget after the worst wildfire season in ten years. The press release states that

To date in 2023, the Forest Fire Service has responded to 1,034 wildfires which have burned  17,979 acres in New Jersey. Fourteen of these fires were considered to be major wildfires burning in excess of 100 acres, making 2023 the busiest fire season in more than a decade.

The NJDEP press release lists the 14 major wildfires in New Jersey to date (note I added the months to the Dragway and the Airpark Wildfires from my blog entries):

• March 7: Governors Branch Wildfire (418 acres), Little Egg Harbor Township, Ocean County
• April 11: Jimmy's Waterhole Wildfire (3,450 acres), Manchester Township and Lakehurst Borough, Ocean County
• April 12: Kanouse Wildfire (972 acres), West Milford Township, Passaic County
• April 14: Log Swamp Wildfire (1,607 acres), Little Egg Harbor Township, Ocean County
• April 18: River Road Wildfire (241 acres), Washington Township, Burlington County
•  May 13: Cannonball Wildfire (102 acres), Pompton Lakes Borough, Passaic County
•  May 29: Box Turtle Wildfire (158 acres), Monroe Township, Gloucester County
•  May 31: Allen Road Wildfire (5,474 acres), Bass River Township, Burlington County
•  June 2: Flatiron Wildfire (212 acres), Medford Township, Burlington County
•  June 9: City Line Wildfire (711 acres), Manchester Township, Ocean County, and Pemberton and Woodland Townships, Burlington County
•  June 9: Buzby Boggs Wildfire (703 acres), Evesham Township, Burlington County
•  June 19: Acorn Hill Wildfire (246 acres), Woodland Township, Burlington County
•  {Aug} 20: Dragway Wildfire (1,778 acres), Waterford Township, Camden County, and Shamong and Medford, Burlington County 
• {Sept} 2: Airpark Wildfire (810 acres), Lacey Township, Ocean County

Among other things this additional investment will help to purchase new vehicles and equipment, and to hire more firefighters and for additional contracted air support. 

2023 New Jersey Wildfire Season: No Threat by Tree Struck by Lightning

 Over the years that I have been writing this blog, I have learned of the possible dangers caused by a tree being struck my lightning. Sometimes a tree strike can lead to a small or large wildfire. There are also the times when the responders respond quickly to the tree strike and if the tree poses no danger will wait and monitor until such a time that the fire caused by the tree strike can be safely contained and put out. 

I also know that there are many small wildfires, some of which are too small to make it into any database. In New Jersey, I believe but am not certain that any fire that is under five acres does not make it into the NJ Forest Fire Service database. Whether or not one calls such small fire a brush fire or something else, I do not know. But the point is that such a very small "brush" fires do happen and are contained and put out before they grow into something larger. Such a "brush" fire happened on or about September 8th. A tree in Green Township in northern New Jersey was struck by lightning, because the Green Township Fire Department determined that the tree was not a threat to to homes, roads, and  power lines they let the tree burn until the tree top fell to the ground. At this time, New Jersey Forest Fire Service crews had been alerted and were ready to put out the fire as soon as the tree top fell to the ground, water was supplied by GreenTownship.

2023 New Jersey Wildfire Season: Dragway Wildfire Still Burning Underground

The Dragway Wildfire in Wharton State Forest in New Jersey burned 1,700 acres, see my August 22nd post. The New Jersey Forest Fire Service (NJFFS) issued a Smoke Advisory for Burlington and Camden Counties in New Jersey due to smoke conditions because the Dragway Wildfire is burning into the duff layer underground. NJ Forest Fire Service crews are on site to monitor hotspots and maintain containment lines, etc. Thanks to the NJFFS crews for your work on this and other wildfires, your efforts help to keep us safe. 

2023 New Jersey Wildfire Season: Plane Crash Caused the Airpark Wildfire

It has been determined that the crash of single-engine plane near Miller Airpark in Ocean County, New Jersey caused the Airpark Wildfire.

Direct link to video from CBS Philadelphia on YouTube

2023 New Jersey Wildfire Season: Airpark Wildfire (September 4th)

September 4th, 9:45 PM

Thanks to the NJ Forest Fire Service and the local fire companies for working this fire on a holiday weekend. 

September 4th, 11:10 AM

As you can see, the NJ Forest Fire Service is making progress fighting the Airpark Wildfire. I just saw an updated article about the Airpark Wildfire on NJ Advance Media published on September 4th at 11:36 AM by Rob Jennings.

2023 New Jersey Wildfire Season: Airpark Wildfire (September 3rd)

September 3rd, 9:40 PM

The Airpark Wildfire is now at 600 acres and is at 50 percent containment. Twenty-five structures are still threatened and road closures remain in place. I have confirmed that there was indeed a fatal single engine plane crash near Miller Air Park in Lacey Township, Ocean County late Saturday night, September 3rd. The pilot was the sole occupant and did not survive the crash. It is unclear if the plane crash did indeed cause the wildfire, but the wildfire which was discovered a short time after the plane crash is very near where the plane crashed. The NTSB is investigating the plane crash and time will tell whether it is officially determined that the plane crash did indeed cause the Airpark Wildfire. More information on the Airpark Wildfire and the plane crash may be found at:

• NJ Advance Media updated at 9:26 PM
• 6ABC Philadelphia reported at 7:29 PM

My thoughts and prayers are with the deceased pilot and their family and friends, may they always fly in favorable tail winds.

September 3rd, 3:45 PM

I went online to the New Jersey Forest Fire Service's Facebook page (NJFFS) very early this morning and noted that the New Jersey Forest Fire Service was on the scene of a wildfire in near Miller Air Park in Lacey Township in Ocean County, New Jersey. I just went back to the NJFFS Facebook page to see if there were any updates. There is some speculation, perhaps not confirmed, that the crash of a small plane over night sparked this wildfire. At the time I am writing this post, I have no confirmation that the crash of a single engine plane caused this wildfire, and I will follow-up with any updates about the plane crash and the Airpark Wildfire when updates are available. In the meantime, the Airpark Wildfire has burned 325 acres, 25 structures are threatened and road closures are in effect. 

2023 New Jersey Wildfire Season: Dragway Wildfire (Wharton State Forest) Aug 22nd update

August 22nd, 8:45 PM

The Dragway Wildfire has burned 1,700 acres and is at 95 percent containment. Jackson Road remains closed because of smoke impacts and weakened trees from the wildfire. NJ Forest Fire Service (NJFFS) crews will remain on site to monitor containment lines and ensure safety to the public as long as necessary. Click on more to see the complete post from the NJFFS as well as some fire photos. Nice job NJFFS crews! 

August 22nd 4:40 PM

Direct link to video from CBS Philadelphia on YouTube

This update from the NJ Forest Fire Service (shared below) about progress made on fighting the Dragway Wildfire is current as about 4:40 on August 22nd. I believe that the last update was at about 11:30 AM on August 22nd.

2023 New Jersey Wildfire Season: Dragway Wildfire (Wharton State Forest) Aug 21st update

August 21st, 9:30 PM update

This just in. Scroll down for earlier updates from the NJ Forest Fire Service and a video from Fox 29 Philadelphia.

August 21st, 9 PM

As you can see from the NJFFS update below, the Dragway Wildfire has grown to 1,200 acres and is at 40% containment. Jackson Road continues to be closed and no structures are threatened. 

  

Here is an early evening report on August 21st on the Dragway Wildfire from Fox 29 in Philadelphia.

Direct link to video from Fox29 Philadelphia on YouTube

August 21st, 11:15 AM

Last night, August 20th, I posted about the Dragway Fire that is burning in the Wharton State Forest, go here to see that post. As I write this, according to the latest update (embedded below) from the NJ State Forest Fire Service, the Dragway Wildfire has burned 600 acres and is 10 percent contained. Jackson Road will be closed at 11:30 AM. With the additional acres burned, the Dragway Wildfire is now in Camden and Burlington Counties.

2023 New Jersey Wildfire Season: Dragway Wildfire, Wharton State Forest, Camden County

Thanks to my good friend at the NJ Forest Fire Service Section B10 website for telling me about the Dragway Wildfire. The Dragway Wildfire was reported late on the afternoon of August 20th. At the time I write this post, the Dragway Wildfire has burned 100 acres and is not contained. No structures are threatened and there are no road closures. New Jersey Forest Fire crews are currently working to build containment lines. 

Update: August 20th, 10:21 PM

2023 New Jersey Wildfire Season: Two Recent Wildfires in Burlington County Caused by Lightning

 

Direct link to video from CBS Philadelphia on YouTube

As most of you know, the New Jersey Forest Fire Service along with other State and Federal Wildfire agencies and the like conduct investigations into the causes of wildfires. The New Jersey Forest Fire Service recently concluded investigations into the causes of two recent wildfires in Burlington County, the Flatiron Wildfire that burned 220 acres in Medford Township in early June and the Acorn Hill Wildfire that burned 246 acres in the Brendon J. Byrne State Forest on June 19th and 20th. Both of these wildfires were caused by lightning, according to the New Jersey Forest Fire Services (see below),  wildfires caused by lightning are uncommon in New Jersey. 

New Jersey Advance Media reports on these two wildfires sparked by lightning in a June 21st article.

2023 New Jersey Wildfire Season: Acorn Hill Wildfire (Burlington County) is Contained

Yesterday evening, June 19th, I wrote about the Acorn Hill Wildfire burning in the Brendon J. Byrne State Forest in Burlington County, New Jersey. Good news, the New Jersey Forest Fire Service reported earlier this morning that this 246 acre fire is at 100 percent containment (fire line completed around the fire). News 12 New Jersey filed a report a short time ago that may be found on this web page. CBS Philadelphia recently updated their reporting on this fire, I found their report here.

2023 New Jersey Wildfire Season: Acorn Hill Wildfire (Burlington County, Brendon J. Byrne State Forest)

June 19, 6:30 PM

Direct link to video from CBS Philadelphia on YouTube

Here we go again. There is another major wildfire burning in New Jersey. The Acorn Hill Wildfire was reported this afternoon near Coopers Rd. in the Brendon J. Byrne State Forest. At the time that I am writing this at 6:30 PM, the New Jersey Forest Fire Service (NJFFS) is reporting that the 200 acre wildfire is at 60 percent containment. NJFSS crews are doing backfiring operations.

As you can see from the short video that I embedded to start off this post, CBS Philadelphia is covering the Acorn Hill Fire, their lates report may be found here. I learned about this wildfire from my friends at NJFFS Section B10 just after I read about the wildfire on NJ Advance Media in an article written a couple of hours ago (when I accessed this article it was not behind a paywall). Another media outlet covering this fire is News 12 New Jersey, their article may be found on this webpage.

2023 New Jersey Wildfire Season: City Line and Buzby Boggs Wildfires Contained

I have been following two major wildfires that burned in Burlington County over the weekend, the Buzby Boggs and the City Line Wildfires. See for example my posts of June 10th and my post of June 11th for earlier updates on these wildfires. The City Line Wildfire was reported on the afternoon of June 9th and the Buzby Boggs Wildfire was reported later that night, see my June 9th post where I first reported on these wildfires.

The good news is the New Jersey Forest Fire Service (NJFFS)  crews with the assistance of local fire companies, police departments, other first responders and the assistance of the community providing food and drinks have contained both fires. Someone in the know commented to me last week that working these wildfires is a team effort. I have seen that effort as reported  by following NJFFS press conferences and media briefings and local press coverage for these and other Wildfires. I have seen that NJFFS staff and fire fighters are always quick to acknowledge and thank local fire companies assisting in structure protection and other assistance, police departments for traffic control among other things, first aid squads who are on sight just in case, and other first responders I am not naming. In addition the NJFFS always acknowledges the support of local residents near the wildfires for providing food, drinks, and a place to cool off during the hot weather or warm up during cool weather. Thanks to all for your service and keeping us safe.

For both wildfires, As stated in the status updates that I embedded here, New Jersey Forest Fire Service crews "will remain on scene and continue to monitor control lines and address areas of concern until significant precipitation occurs to ensure public safety." If you click more on both of the status updates you can see some photos from each fire.

The City Line Wildfire burned 850 acres and is at 100 percent containment.

The Buzby Boggs Wildfire is also at 100 percent containment having burned 700 acres.

2023 New Jersey Wildfire Season: City Line and Buzby Boggs Wildfires (Burlington County), June 11th

June 11th, 12:35 PM

The New Jersey Forest Fire Services assisted by local fire companies and other first responders continue to fight the City Line and Buzby Boggs Wildfires in Burlington County, see my June 10th post for earlier updates on both wildfires. CBS Philadelphia has a report on these wildfires late last night that may be found here.

New Jersey Forest Fire Crews (NJFFS) continue to work the City Line Wildfire, the status is unchanged from last night (850 acres burned at 90 percent containment.

The efforts of the NJFFS assisted by mutual aid has resulted in an increase in containment of the Buzby Boggs Wildfire to 90 percent containment this morning, up from 65 percent containment yesterday night.

2023 New Jersey Wildfire Season: City Line and Buzby Boggs Wildfires (Burlington County), June 10th

June 10th, 9:18 PM

Earlier this evening the New Jersey Forest Fire Service (NJFFS) provided updates on progress made in containing the City Line and Buzby Boggs Wildfires.

NJFFS crews made a great deal of progress in containing the City Line Fire that has burned 850 acres in the Brendon J. Byrne State Forest. Local roads in the forest are reopened. 

Scroll down for earlier updates.

The Buzby Boggs Fire acreage burned is up to 700 acres and is at 65 percent containment. No structures are threatened. Great job New Jersey Forest Fire Crews and local fire companies for providing structure protection. Local road closures remain in place.

June 10th, 11:50 AM

Direct link to video from CBS Philadelphia on YouTube

Before I get to the status of the two fires. If you watch the media briefing, at about the 9 minute 20 second mark Assistant Fire Warden Bill Donnelly discusses the three phases of working a wildfire used by the New Jersey Forest Fire Service: containment, control, and declaring the fire out. Right now they are working on containing the City Line and the Buzby Boggs Fires, that is stopping the forward progress of the fire. A fire is contained when there are either man made lines or natural lines (water) or existing roads to box in or surround the fire in  (100 percent containment). The next step is controlling the fire. The fire is not declared out until the fire is 100 percent extinguished, under current weather conditions this could take a few weeks. {Note any errors are mine, if you are interested please listen to the appropriate portion of the media briefing for detailed information.

I watched the end of a live stream from CBS Philadelphia of the10 AM media briefing by the New Jersey Forest Fire Service where they discussed the current status of the City Line and the Buzby Boggs Wildfires, both burning in Burlington County. However, I missed the pertinent portion of the briefing where NJFFS officials discussed the status of each fire. Fortunately, I just found a video on YouTube of this media briefing that I have shared. In addition, Fox29 Philadelphia posted a report on the fire after the media briefing (with fire footage) that may be found here.

The City Line Fire has burned 850 acres in the Brendon J. Byrne State Forest and is currently at 50 percent containment. No structures are threatened and roads within the State Forest may be closed. See my June 9th post for earlier updates.

The Buzby Boggs Fire has burned 600 acres and is also at 50 percent containment with a road closure in the vicinity of the fire. Four or five structures are threatened, I believe but am not sure they are private residences. According to the media briefing, there are five residences threatened (not four) and residents in threatened houses are sheltering in place with structure protection provided by local fire companies. See this post on the Buzby Boggs fire for earlier updates.

 

2023 New Jersey Wildfire Season: Buzby Boggs Wildfire (Evesham, Burlington County)

Direct link to video on YouTube from CBS Philadelphia

There are now two wildfires burning in Burlington County, the City Line Fire (350 acres, 20% containment) and the Buzby Boggs Wildfire that was reported yesterday evening in Evesham in Burlington County. According to the latest update from the New Jersey Forest Fire Service (NJFFS) issued late last night the fire has burned 60 acres, four structures are threatened and the fire is not contained. There are road closures in the area.

I hope to have an update on this fire and the City Line Fire after the NJFFS updates their social media accounts with the status of the two fires. Look for an update later this morning, hopefully with some revised media coverage.

2023 New Jersey Wildfire Season: City Line Wildfire (Burlington County, Brendon J Byrne State Forest)

June 10th, 9:10 AM

I am hoping to see an update from the New Jersey Forest Fire Service (NJFFS) about that status of the City Line Fire later this morning. When the NJFFS issues a status update on social media then I will provide an update, hopefully with updated media coverage as well. I just found out about a second wildfire, also in Burlington County, the Buzby Boggs Wildfire that has burned 60 acres in Evesham, is not contained, and four structures are threatened. 

June 9th, 9:00 PM

The New Jersey Forest Fire Service is making progress fighting the City Line Wildfire in Brendon J. Byrne State Forest. The fire has grown to 350 acres and is 20 percent contained. Crews will continue to do backfiring operations through the night to burn fuel ahead of the main fire. Road closures in the vicinity of the fire are in effect. Two structures are threatened. CBS News Philadelphia reported on the fire a short time ago.

WILDFIRE UPDATE: Brendan T Byrne State Forest - City Line Wildfire - Browns Mills, Burlington County@njdepforestfire is making progress to contain a wildfire burning in the area of City Line Road and Butler Place Road.

The wildfire is 350 acres in size and is 20% contained. pic.twitter.com/jagqRwUyU1

— New Jersey Forest Fire Service (@njdepforestfire) June 10, 2023

June 9th, 5:10 PM

I just learned about the City Line Wildfire that was reported earlier this afternoon. At the time I am writing this, the fire has burned 85 acres in the Brendon J. Byrne State Forest in Burlington County. The fire is not contained. Two structures are threatened.

Here are two news reports about the fire. The first is from New Jersey Advance Media where I first learned about this fire a short time ago, the article may be found here. The second report is from ABC6 in Philadelphia has a short clip with footage of the fire from one of their helicopter, that me be found at this location. Finally News 12 New Jersey has a report on this fire reported this afternoon at 4:45 PM.

2023 New Jersey Wildfire Season: Small Brush Fire in Mahwah (Bergen County) NJ contained

I often say that there are often at least a few small brush fires that burn each day in New Jersey, and that I have no information on these incidents. When I was watching the New Jersey Forest Fire Service (NJFFS) press conference about the Glory Fire on the morning of June 8th, towards the end of the press conference NJFFS Chief McLaughlin said in response to a reporters question on other wildfire activity that "90 percent of the wildfires in New Jersey are under five acres." I was engaging in my morning routine of checking weather, New Jersey broadcast media, and social media when I got lucky and found a short report on News 12 New Jersey reporting on a small brush fire on Split Rock Road in the northern Bergen County town of Mahwah. Split Rock Road sits quite close to the New Jersey-New York border. I do not usually find reports on small brush fires such as this one on local media, so I am taking the opportunity to share about this fire here.

News 12 New Jersey reported on the Split Rock brush fire in a June 9th report that includes video footage of wildland fire crews descending out of the forest after containing the fire. Crews from New Jersey and New York were working this fire which may have started at night on May 8th but may not have been reported when the fire broke out due to smoke and haze in the area. A citizen reported the fire early in the morning of June 9th. Crews came and quickly put out the fire. Crews will remain to work on hot spots. 

Thanks to the citizen who reported this brush fire early this morning and for the fire crews who quickly responded and were able to quickly put out this fire.