NJ Forest Fire Difficult to Fight: Officials

Hundreds of acres expected to burn before fire is contained

A forest fire in a swampy section of the southern New Jersey Pinelands was expected to burn several hundred acres before being contained.

Bert Plante, a spokesman for the state Forest Fire Service, said the blaze started Monday afternoon in Bass River Township, about 20 miles north of Atlantic City and just west of the busy Garden State Parkway.

The fire forced the evacuation of Bass River State Forest, Plante said. He did not know how many people had to leave. The 28,000-acre forest is a popular camping and hiking area. No homes were threatened and no injuries were reported.

Officials initially feared the smoke could disrupt traffic on the Parkway, but diminishing winds late in the day alleviated that
concern.

"There's some smoke blowing across the Parkway, but it's light enough not to impact visibility,'' Plante said Monday evening.

Plante said 17 fire engines, two helicopters, three bulldozers and nearly 100 firefighters were working to contain the blaze.

The fire had burned about 350 acres by 8 p.m. Monday, but ultimately could burn 750-800 acres, Plante said.

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"Unfortunately, because of the nature of the swamp, we can't get to the fire; it's going to have to come to us,'' he said.

Plante said firefighters hoped to have the fire contained by Tuesday morning.


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