I saw a post from the NJ Forest Fire Service on Facebook the other day reporting on the 2025 Wildfire Season in New Jersey that I am embedding below. To summarize, there were 1,322 wildfires in 2025 in New Jersey that burned 27,229 acres. The New Jersey Forest Fire Service 2025 Wildfire Report may be found here.
Direct link to November 21st video from FreedomNews TV NYC on YouTube
I again thank my friends at the B10 NJ Wildland Fire Page for sharing this video on their webpage the other day. I am always interested in the work that structure and wildland firefighters do to work and contain small brushfires. There are a large number of smaller wildfires or brush fires in New Jersey every year. I know that many brush fires in New Jersey are small and able to be contained by structure firefighters as appears to be the case with this wildfire in Franklin Lakes NJ (Bergen County) that burned near homes, fortunately the areas burned by this brush fire was large enough enabling the firefighters to contain the fire before it could reach the homes. I have a high level of confidence that the brush fire that you are seeing in this video is the same brush fire reported by News12 New Jersey about a brush fire that burned was reported at about 4 AM on November 19th and was under control by 5:30 AM. Structure firefighters from nearby communities helped fight this brush fire. I do not know the size of the brush fire. I applaud all the structure firefighters for their good work in bringing this brush fire under control in a short time frame.Direct link to November 2024 video on News 12 Originals
I have already written about the 2024 wildfire season in New Jersey, the worst in history. 2024 was also a very bad wildfire year in New York City, and nearby counties in New York as well as in Connecticut. Here are two posts that I have written on the 2024 wildfire season in New Jersey: (1) a November 2024 post summarizing the 2024 wildfire season where I did my best to summarize the major wildfires in New Jersey in 2024 using information from the NJ Forest Fire Service and various local media outlets , and (2) a February 2025 post providing an historical perspective going back to 2013 as well as wildfires by month in New Jersey in 2024 (this post was possible due to the good work of the NJ Forest Association and the NJ Forest Fire Service).
I was intrigued when I learned of the News 12 Originals video from my friends at the B10 New Jersey Wildfire Page. This video was posted on November 2025 with an original airdate in November 2024. I do get News 12 New Jersey but missed this report. While perhaps on the long side (21 minutes) for a blog post I liked the summary of wildfires in the Tri-State provided by News 12 reporters so I decided to share this video with you.
2025 wildfires in New Jersey: In a NJFFS press conference on April 23rd NJFFS Fire Chief, Bill Donnelly said that for 2025 through April 23rd, 662 wildfires have burned 16,572 acres. Two of these wildfires were over 1,000 acres: Jones Rd Fire in Ocean County, 15,300 acres and Danny's Fire in Cumberland County, 1,300 acres. I do not yet have any information on the number and size of wildfires that burned in New Jersey after April 23rd.
Direct link to Sept 6th, 10:50 AM post from the New Jersey Forest Fire Service on Facebook
The Buckabear Fire remains to 200 acres burned, containment is now at 80 percent. A road closure remains in effect. In addition a boat ramp is closed at a reservoir near the fire.
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Direct link to the Facebook post from the NJ Forest Fire Service at 10:30AM post on Sept 5th.
The Buckabear wildfire continues to burn in West Milford Township in Passaic County NJ. As I write this at 11:50 AM, according to the 10:30AM update from the NJ Forest Fire Service on Facebook 200 acres have burned and the fire is at 60 percent containment. Acreage burned has increased slightly from 185 acres that the NJ Forest Fire Service reported last night and containment has remained the same. A road closure remains in effect and no structures are threatened and a boat launch at a reservoir near the fire is closed. I will make another update tomorrow morning unless there is a significant change in the status of this wildfire.
There was rainfall in northern New Jersey last night, and I hope that this rainfall helped the wildland firefighters. The NJ Forest Fire Service will be assessing the impact the rainfall had on the fire and hopefully the containment percentage will increase
Direct link to the Facebook post from the NJ Forest Fire Service at 9:25 AM post on Sept 4th.
The Buckabear wildfire continues to burn in West Milford Township in Passaic County NJ. As I write this at 10:10 AM, according to the 9AM update from the NJ Forest Fire Service on Facebook 160 acres have burned and the fire is at 50 percent containment. The good news is that there is no increase in acreage burned from what the NJ Forest Fire Service reported last night and containment has increased from 40 to 50 percent. A road closure remains in effect and no structures are threatened. I will make another update tomorrow morning unless there is a significant change in the status of this wildfire.
Direct link to September 2nd (8:40 AM) post on Facebook from the New Jersey Forest Fire Service
A shout out to my friends at the B10 NJ Wildland Fire Page where I just learned about the Buckabear Fire that is burning in West Milford Township in Passaic County, NJ. The fire was first reported during the early evening on September 2nd. The fire has burned 90 acres and is currently at 20 percent containment according to this update (September 2nd, 8:40 AM). There is a road closure in the fire area and no structures are threatened.
Direct link to June 18th 1:08 PM post from the NJ Forest Fire Service on Facebook
The Mines Spung Wildfire that burned 6,400 acres in Wharton State Forest in Burlington County and the NJ Forest Fire Service reported in their final update on Wednesday, July 18th that the wildfire is at 90 percent containment. All roads were opened on Wednesday, the Batona Trail in the area of the wildfire remained closed and five structures were still threatened. NJ Forest Fire wildland firefighters will remain on the scene to monitor containment lines and address any areas that require attention. Please take a few moments to review the NJ Forest Fire Service's Facebook post and check out their photos of the wildfire.
I have a deep regard and respect for the NJ Forest Fire Service wildland firefighters on the ground and in the air. I am so glad that we have a State Forest Fire Service that addresses any size fire quickly. the small and the large. Kudos to the ground crews, bulldozer drivers, engine crews, and airtanker and helicopter pilots who worked to contain this wildfire.
The NJ Forest Fire Service continues to work on the Mines Spung Wildfire in Burlington County by walking the perimeter of the fire and putting out hotspots and the like. There is no change in the numbers since June 15th as the wildfire remains at 5,750 acres burned at 80 percent containment. The Lower Forge Campground is still under an evacuation order and the portion of the Batona Trail in the wildfire area is still closed. Road closures remain and five structures remain threatened. The cause of the wildfire is under investigation/ I will continue to monitor the status of this wildfire and will post if there are significant changes in fighting the fire. New Jersey Advance Media has been covering this fire, here is their June 16th mid-day article which I hope is freely available.
Direct link to June 16th 11:54 PM post on Facebook by the NJ Forest Fire Service
Direct link to June 15th late evening video from CBS 3 Philadelphia on YouTube
I continue to follow the NJ Forest Fire Service as they are making significant progress in fighting the Mines Spung Wildfire in Burlington County. For my early posts on this fire see my June 13th and June 14th posts. As of 12 PM today the Mines Spung wildfire has burning 5,750 acres and is at 80 percent containment. Five structures are threatened. Road closures remain and the Lower Forge Campground remains under evacuation orders. The Batona Trail in the vicinity of the wildfire is still closed. New Jersey Forest Fire Service groundcrews, engines, and bulldozers continue to work the wildfire.
Direct link to June 15th 12 PM post on Facebook from the NJ Forest Fire Service
June 14, 8:00 PM
Progress has been made! At 8:00 PM on June 14th the Mine Spung wildfire has burned 5,500 acres and is at 70 percent containment. Five structures are still threatened ant eh Lower Forge Campground remains closed. Road closures continued. The New Jersey Forest Fire Service remains on the scene of the wildfire with ground crews, engines, bulldozers, and helicopters. Scroll down for the morning update.
Direct link to the June 14th 8:00PM post on Facebook by the NJ Forest Fire Service
June 14, 8:30 AM
I wrote about the Mines Spung wildfire on June 13. The wildfire, first reported early in the morning of June 13th by a private airplane has burned 4,200 acres and is at 40 percent containment. Road closures remain and the Batona Trail in the vicinity of the wildfire is still closed. Five structures remain threatened, and the Lower Forge Campground and the Phillip M Costello Preparatory Academy have been evacuated. Local fire departments are providing structure protection. New Jersey Forest Fire Service helicopters and a bulldozer are working with NJFFS wildland firefighters in working the wildfire.
Direct link to May 14th, 12:25 PM post from the New Jersey Forest Fire Service on Facebook
The Danny's Fire was first spotted by a fire tower on April 18th in the Peaslee Wildlife Management Area in Vineland Cumberland County. The fire burned 1,327 acres and is at 100 percent containment. The cause of the fire is still under investigation. Thanks to the New Jersey Forest Fire Service's ground crews and their helicopter and bucket and any local fire companies who responded to work this fire. Thanks for keeping us safe.
Direct link to video from CBS Philadelphia on YouTube
On Monday afternoon, May 12 the New Jersey Forest Fire Service (NJFFS) reported that the Jones Rd. Fire that burned 15,300 acres in Ocean and Lacey Townships in Ocean County is at 100 percent containment. Thanks again to the NJFFS, local fire companies who responded through mutual aid, and aerial resources including NJFFS helicopters and New Jersey National Guard Blackhawk helicopters for responding to working this fire and keeping us safe. Thanks to my friends at the B10 NJ Wildland Fire Page for sharing the video from CBS Philadelphit on their website on March 13th.
The Route 46 Fire that burned 100 acres along Route 46 in Hackettstown, Warren County NJ is at 100 percent containment. Two outbuildings were damaged. All roads have been reopened. The NJ Forest Fire Service will remain on the scene for the next several days. Smoke is expected until there is significant rainfall.
Direct link to May 3rd 8:18 AM NJ Forest Fire Service Facebook post
May 2nd, 8:09 PM
There has been much progress made in fighting The Route 46 Fire. The Fire remains at 100 acres burned with containment at 75 percent. All roads, including US Route 46 have reopened. One structure is threatened, down from 25. One outbuilding is destroyed and another outbuilding is damaged. The New Jersey Forest Fire Service remains on scene with engines and groundcrews. Scroll down to see the afternoon update.
Direct link to May 2nd, 8:09 PM post from the NJ Forest Fire Service on Facebook
May 2nd, 3:44 PM
This just in, there is a 100 acre wildfire burning in Hackettstown, Warren County, NJ. The fire was first reported at about 1 PM on May 2. The fire is not contained. US Route 46 is closed near the fire area along with two local roads. Twenty-five structures are threatened and there are no evacuations. The New Jersey Forest Fire Service (NJFFS) is on scene with engines, bulldozers, and groundcrews. A NJFFS helicopter with a 300 gallon bucket is working the fire. I understand that there are a few local fire companies who responded when the call went out for mutual aid.
Direct link to May 2nd, 3:44 PM post from the NJ Forest Fire Service on Facebook
Direct link to Facebook post from the New Jersey National Guard
I knew that there two UH-60 Black Hawk Helicopters from the NJ National Guard that worked the Jones Rd. Wildfire in support of other aerial assets and crews on the ground. I want to thank the NJ National Guard for your support and efforts. Not only have you helped with the Jones Road Fire but I know that you have also helped fight other large wildfires in New Jersey in the past. You are here to serve and to help and you have done that very well.
Direct link to NJFFS April 28th 2:07 PM PM Facebook Post
April 28th, 2:07 PM
The Jones Road Fire currently burning in Ocean and Lacey Townships in Ocean County was first reported around mid-day on April 22nd. The fire started in the Greenwood Wildlife Management Area in Ocean County. The fire quickly grew with closures on the Garden State Parkway, Route 9 and local roads. Over 5,000 people were evacuated the evening of April 22nd when at least 3,000 structures were threatened. Evacuation orders were lifted the morning of April 23rd. No residences were destroyed. One commercial building, a few outbuildings and some vehicles were destroyed. The Garden State Parkway and Route 9 were reopened on April 23rd. To the best of my knowledge there have been no injures to firefighters or civilians. A Waretown man has been charged with aggravated arson and arson in connection with the Jones Road Fire.
The Jones Road Fire remains at 15,300 acres burned, no change in acreage burned in five days. However containment has increased to 75 percent. Local roads are open but unimproved roads within the fire perimeter remain closed. The New Jersey Forest Fire Service remains on scene. The NJFFS continues to receive assistance from two New Jersey Army Air National Guard UH-60 Black Hawk Helicopters with 660 gallon buckets. The April 28th update from the NJ Forest Fire Service will be the last update on their social media platforms unless there are significant changes. Take some time to look at the photos of the fire.
