Galloway Township, NJ -- Environmental officials said today a fire that has consumed about 315 acres of Pinelands National Reserve is nearly contained.
There were no reports of injuries or homes being damaged in the fire, which was first reported about 2:15 p.m. Saturday, although one elderly resident with an existing respiratory problem was evacuated as a precaution.
Elaine Makatura of New Jersey's Department of Environmental Protection said the fire was brought under control late Saturday night but crews were still working today using helicopters to douse flames in swampland areas.
Makatura said today's rainy forecast was expected to help extinguish the fire. Firefighters told News10 that the flames won't be put out completely until we get a few days of rain.
Officials say the cause of the fire remains under investigation.
