Also it’s worth noting. That most of the people that I know who also refer to it as California Branch Road are in the FFS. And they may have had a hand in naming the Fire.
Fire in Wharton
- Thread starter Teegate
- Start date
Yesterday, I went down Ephraim Road, parked by the Mullica, and did a little walking in the area of Raritan Avenue.
Just a relaxing afternoon enjoying the Mullica.
What could go wrong...wait, do I smell smoke??
Riding up Atsion Road toward the Indian Mills Deer Club, already very smoky.
Looking SW across the monastery's land (formerly known as Sykes's field). The monastery is at far left.
Smoke over the monastery. The deer club is on the left across Atsion Road.
Taken by deer club late last night, looking west across the linear irrigation.
Just a relaxing afternoon enjoying the Mullica.
What could go wrong...wait, do I smell smoke??
Riding up Atsion Road toward the Indian Mills Deer Club, already very smoky.
Looking SW across the monastery's land (formerly known as Sykes's field). The monastery is at far left.
Smoke over the monastery. The deer club is on the left across Atsion Road.
Taken by deer club late last night, looking west across the linear irrigation.
There might be other examples of early forest fires in New Jersey, but according to this article from a few weeks ago, the rate seems to be spiking.
New Jersey wildfires more than triple in number from the same time last year
(It's from MSN, so just click the blue "Continue Reading" button for the complete text.)
Actually, I think that is the original NDEP MAP. At least it has North at the top and the roads don't look like yellow toothpaste (like the new one). 
I went in there yesterday. Just like many of these fires the listed acreage is backfire. Everything for most part I saw was backfire. I got to the road that connects old atsion to raritan and to west it was burnt good. I had to turn around as raritan was blocked by forest fire service (who looked at me like I was nuts). Later in day they blocked plastic bridge but early in day was open. It looked mostly contained around 3pm, no visible smoke.
I’m curious. Are you saying where it was burnt good was forest fire and where it didn’t was backfire?
Yes basically, in much of the area I saw it just looked like a spring controlled burn. Around the raritan/old atsion area was cooked pretty good. But for most part I didn’t see signs of an extremely hot burn.
I thought that’s what you meant. I drove some of the fire yesterday and noticed the same as you. Most of it didn’t burn very hot. Sometimes I think there’s a misconception that backfires don’t burn as hot as forest fires. I hear it all the time. “Thats a control burn” simply because it didn’t burn hot. I’ve seen control burns leave nothing but tooth pick and unburnt islands in the middle of forest fires. FWIW I’d bet if drove around the perimeter of a forest fire nearly all of it is back fire.
Looks like the source of the fire was 50 yards or so off the powerline cut. At least that is what they had flagged off in a square.
So that makes me think it was not an accident unless it was a lightning strike from the previous evening or maybe a catalytic converter.
Wasn’t too much lightning in area. Was off the cut but within the woods and not on a trail or road, at least I don’t think. Maybe more fireworks??
I saw that same spot and assumed the same. It looks like it was on a small trail off of Rairitan.
smoke_jumper,
We again visited the location you mentioned a year back and after not finding anything the first time we decided that after the burn would be a good time to check a second time. The area is well burnt and as we were almost there two whitish coyotes crossed our path 50 years away. We could see them clearly but I could not get my camera out fast enough even though one was curious and stood it's ground for a while.
About 85 feet from the cords you gave me we found what appears to be remains of a stove or something similar. Being that far in the woods your dad was most likely correct about the place. I believe you said it was your dad who showed you.
Another view of the area.
In one of the firebreaks we found this. It was certainly there before the fire and it appears the metal cage was around it at some point as well. Maybe a plant location or whatever.
And most likely the location where the fire started. When we got there a Park Police vehicle was parked nearby and he waved to us. When we turned around to go back he was heading down the power line. So we pulled over and walked to the location and took this photo.
We again visited the location you mentioned a year back and after not finding anything the first time we decided that after the burn would be a good time to check a second time. The area is well burnt and as we were almost there two whitish coyotes crossed our path 50 years away. We could see them clearly but I could not get my camera out fast enough even though one was curious and stood it's ground for a while.
About 85 feet from the cords you gave me we found what appears to be remains of a stove or something similar. Being that far in the woods your dad was most likely correct about the place. I believe you said it was your dad who showed you.
Another view of the area.
In one of the firebreaks we found this. It was certainly there before the fire and it appears the metal cage was around it at some point as well. Maybe a plant location or whatever.
And most likely the location where the fire started. When we got there a Park Police vehicle was parked nearby and he waved to us. When we turned around to go back he was heading down the power line. So we pulled over and walked to the location and took this photo.