BUT fast-moving forest fire in a remote chapter of state forest in New Jersey threatened to become the largest in the state fire in 15 years old and may have been lit by an illegal fire, officials said. on Tuesday.
The blaze, called the Mallika River fire, burned about 13,500 acres in Wharton State Forest and was 85 years old. percent contained as of noon Tuesday, officials said. Forest, in South Jersey, about 30 miles to the northwest of Atlantic City.
There were no reports of casualties, but 18 structures, including several farms and campgrounds, were threatened. fireofficials said.
Officials say they have made a decision out natural cause for in firesuch as lightning. “Illegal, unattended bonfire” was found next to the source of mallika river fire”So this cause what we are currently investigating,” said Chief Gregory McLaughlin. of This was reported by the New Jersey Forest Fire Department. news conference on Tuesday.
He added what area where “temporary fire” first the beginning was not a marked camp and was in a remote area of forest.
“We call it a bonfire, but I don’t necessarily know what people were camped out out or camping there for any period of time,” he said, adding that investigators suspect that “people passed.”
fire planned to consume just over According to officials, 15,000 acres.
“Most wildfirescaused”, Sean M. Latourette, environmentalist protection commissioner said in statement on Tuesday. “Please practice fire safety. Report them when you see them.”
About 75 firefighters were on scene on tuesday using range of equipment including helicopter that dropped water over flame.
Governor Phil Murphy of New Jersey, writing on Twitterpraised fire Crews are working to put out the fire.
Bye weather conditions were dry and sunny on Monday, slightly above average temperature and high humidity we in forecast for in area on Tuesday. Meteorologists report precipitation more probably on Wednesday.
fire was first discovered on Sunday morning, but initial attempts to suppress it were unsuccessful because it was difficult for fire crews to get to remote location of flame, said Chief McLaughlin during news conference on Monday.
About a dozen park visitors evacuated on Sunday, according to Robert Auermüller, superintendent of Wharton State Park.
Another 50 people who we in neighboring private the park was also moved, Chief McLaughlin said.
“We were lucky that we had no injuries or structural damage,” Chief McLaughlin said.
He also warned that the smoke from fire may linger for days and what people who were susceptible to smoke”should stay at home until this clears up.”
There is currently 38 active Major wildfires have engulfed the United States, covering almost three million acres in total, according to the National Interagency Fire Center. In New Mexico, two fires that started out of order have combined to become the largest wildfire in the world. in the state recorded history. fireflame of Calf Canyon/Hermit Peak, destroyed hundreds of homes and displaced thousands of residents how it burned down in zone of more than 341,000 acres, area more than city of Los Angeles.
Wildfires in the western United States in size and intensity, and the wildfire season is getting longer. Recent research suggested that heat and associated dryness with global warming are the main reasons for growth in big and strong fires.
peak wildfire season in According to the State Department, New Jersey is from mid-March to May. of Environmental Protection. But Chief McLaughlin said the state is “seeing fires.” more often each year in February”.
About 7000 acres of state forests damaged or destroyed each year average of 1500 forest fires. Most of Chief McLaughlin said the state’s wildfire area is less than five acres.
Warren Grove fire in May 2007 was one of biggest forest fires in States historyconsumption more than 17,000 acres and the destruction of four homes. What fire was caused flares dropped by a National Guard pilot.
