SOUTH JERSEY (KYW Newsradio) — Another wildfire broke out in New Jersey, this time in Washington Township, Burlington County. Officials said the Tuesday fire burned more than 250 acres off Route 542 and River Road, but it is now mostly contained.
Due to a combination of strong winds, low humidity and dry fuels, the National Weather Service issued a statewide red flag warning, which remains in effect through 8 p.m. Wednesday.
There have been several even bigger fires this year — already an early start to wildfire season. Last week, a wildfire tore through 6 square miles of the Pine Barrens.
A dry winter and the early arrival of spring temperatures created a tinderbox in places like the Pinelands. John Cecil, assistant commissioner for state parks, forests and historic sites, said prescribed burns and forest management will be key to preventing more fires.
"We have got to get these Pinelands forests back to a more natural condition," he said. "That means thinning them. That does mean cutting some small trees to let the healthier trees grow bigger and stronger."
New Jersey Forest Fire Service Chief Greg McLaughlin said dried leaves and pine needles on the ground are primed for ignition, so it's important to be careful with fires at home too, especially in wooded areas.
"That preheating effect creates a more intense fire and a fire that spreads more quickly," he said.
Embers released from some of the wildfires have traveled more than half a mile and sparked new fires, which, of course, makes firefighting efforts that much more challenging.
