SOUTH JERSEY (KYW Newsradio) — If you live in the Philadelphia region and you woke on Sunday morning to smoky, hazy skies, it is likely the effect of wildfires that have been raging across New Jersey and Pennsylvania this month.
An influx of 911 callers were reporting carbon monoxide alarms going off. Officials in Gloucester County say that was caused by residents opening their windows.
State authorities say Richard Shashaty, 37, of Brick Township has been arrested in connection with the wildfire that burned near Six Flags Great Adventure in Jackson Township, Ocean County, last week.
Investigators say Shashaty on Wednesday was firing a shotgun at the Central Jersey Rifle Range, where he used a type of ammunition that was sparked a fire. That spark grew to consume about 350 acres of brush and forest.
Shashaty turned himself in to police. He is charged with arson and violation of the regulatory provisions relating to firearms.
Fire experts say dry conditions from a historic lack of rain in the region makes the spread of wildfire very likely, and the New Jersey Forest Fire Service issued a warning on X.com, formerly Twitter, to residents to be careful:
"As prolonged and extremely dry conditions persist in NJ, the public is strongly urged to refrain from using any open flame and take every precaution possible to prevent wildfires. This cooperation will help responders continue to protect lives, property & natural resources."
Meanwhile in Reading, Pennsylvania, crews have spent the weekend battling a wildfire on Neversink Mountain. It was sparked last Friday night and prompted the evacuation of about 100 nearby homes.
"There were no structural damage. We did have loss of a vehicle and trailer," said Pennsylvania State Fire Warden Tom Kenery to NBC10 Philadelphia.
Residents have since been allowed to return, according to officials, though they ask people to stay out of the area while crews work to contain the fire.
Even with rain expected later on Sunday, Kenery said he expects firefighters to be at the mountain all week.