Forest fire 7/12/2012

[dogg57]

HAMILTON TOWNSHIP, N.J. (AP) - Crews are battling a forest fire in a remote section of southern New Jersey's Hamilton Township, west of Atlantic City.
The state Forest Fire Service says the fire broke out around 7 a.m. and was spotted by an airplane.
It took an hour to get men and equipment to the fire site, where they're using bulldozers and fire trucks to fight it.
The fire service says about 50 acres have burned so far.
Officials expect between 100 to 150 acres will burn before the fire is contained.
No homes or businesses are near the fire, which is burning between the Black Horse Pike and the Atlantic City Expressway. So far, smoke from the blaze has not affected traffic on either roadway.Officials say the fire has currently engulfed 120 acres of land, with none of the fire in containment as of 11 a.m. There are currently seven brush trucks and more than 25 firefighters working to battle the blaze.

Believe the fire began between 6 p.m. and midnight Wednesday and believe someone dumped debris and lit it on fire.

Large amounts of smoke and ash will be visible in the area. Residents and motorists are urged to use caution in the area. Forest Fire personnel are on location.

Anyone with information is asked to contact the Forest Fire division office in Mays Landing (609) 625-1121
http://abclocal.go.com/wpvi/story?section=news/local&id=8733684

 

[dogg57]

Update........Forest fire 100% contained

It was a sight that many local residents have never seen before, trees burning away right in their own backyard.

"Never, never. Never this close to us" said Maryann Gillespie, Folsom.

The forest fire was spotted off the Black Horse Pike in Hamilton Twp after smoke was seen coming from that area early Thursday morning.

"It was barreling, like thick black smoke" said Gillespie. "Heavy, heavy thick smoking coming through" said Gillespie.

Officials arrived on the scene of where the blazed started, right in the woods of Hamilton Twp. The fire remained heavy there but did spread into Folsom, consuming over 130 acres.

"Right now we are working on putting containment's around the fire, getting it boxed in and burning it in, and getting a good safe line around the fire" said Russ Fenton, Section, Forest Fire Warden.

Forest Fire helicopters along with 25 firefighters were all called in to assist with the blaze, that officials say appears to be suspicious.

"It appeared, probably sometime last evening, that someone had dumped some debris and debris was set on fire and that escaped in to the woods" said Fenton.

No residents have been evacuated and officials are confident that they have the 138-acre fire under control and burning exactly the way they want it. As of 6:00 PM Thursday, officials announced that the fire is 100% contained.

"Were doing everything we can, we have plenty of units out here patrolling and we are hopeful that this will stay within our containment lines" said Fenton.

"They don't seem to be too worried about it, thank goodness" said Gillespie.

Officials say that the specific area has not burned since 1986.

Anyone with information is asked to contact the Forest Fire division office in Mays Landing (609) 625-1121
http://www.nbc40.net/news/23137/

 

[manumuskin]

okay,between the black horse and the expressway,east or west of 54?

 

[dogg57]

okay,between the black horse and the expressway,east or west of 54?

 

[manumuskin]

Thanks Dogg.I don't know those particular woods but use 54 whenever heading to west wharton.turn east on weymouth and go thru makepeace whenever heading to eaqst wharton or points east of there.
on second look I have been through there.Thats the great egg swamp! canoed through there with Whip in the past.