WILDFIRE UPDATE: Tea Time Hill Wildfire - Wharton State Forest - Tabernacle Twp, Burlington County
Fireworks have been identified as the cause of the Tea Time Hill Wildfire, which is burning near the Batona Campground and Apple Pie Hill in Wharton State Forest. The New Jersey Forest Fire Service led the investigation, in collaboration with the New Jersey State Park Police, the New Jersey Division of Fire Safety, and the Burlington County Fire Marshal's Office. A fireworks device lighted inside the forest ignited the fire late Thursday, July 4, and the Apple Pie Hill Fire Tower discovered the fire shortly after 9 a.m. Friday, July 5. Anyone with further information about the fire that could aid in the investigation is urged to call the New Jersey State Park Police tip line at 844-PARK-TIP (844-727-5847).
The New Jersey State Park Police reminds visitors to New Jersey’s state parks, forests and recreation areas that fireworks are strictly prohibited. This includes, but is not limited to, beaches, campgrounds, fields and forested areas. If you observe illegal or suspicious activity while visiting New Jersey’s state parks, forests or historic sites, please report the activity to DEP Dispatch at 1-877-WARNDEP (1-877-927-6337) or 9-1-1.
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SIZE & CONTAINMENT
Size: 4,000 acres
Containment: 65%
STRUCTURES THREATNED
✅ 0 structures threatened
EVACUATIONS
⚠️ The Batona Campground in Wharton State Forest has been evacuated
✅ No residential structures have been evacuated
TRAIL CLOSURES
⚠️ The Batona Trail is closed between Route 532 and Carranza Road
⚠️ The Tulpehocken Trail is closed from Apple Pie Hill to Hawkins Bridge
ROAD CLOSURES
⚠️ Local Wharton State Forest road closures
⚠️ Carranza Road is closed from the Carranza Memorial to Speedwell Road at Friendship Field
EQUIPMENT DEPLOYED
Forest Fire Service ground crews continue to monitor and combat the wildfire around the clock. Earlier today, an observation helicopter and another helicopter capable of dropping 300 gallons of water were utilized in the firefighting efforts.
NEXT UPDATE
⏰ The next update for this incident is expected at approximately 3:00 p.m. on Sunday, July 7.
Please remember, “No Drones in Fire Zones - If YOU fly, WE can't!” More info:
https://www.facebook.com/NJForestFi...oqQb3EFkkFKRD9xkav4VYaHKWzL4Mym9HoVHMdPGUpvwl
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Helpful Wildfire Terminology
Wildfire - An uncontrolled fire burning the different types of vegetation that cover the land. A wildfire is considered a “major wildfire” after it exceeds 100 acres in size.
Containment - When reporting on a wildfire a percentage of containment will be given, which will state how much of the fireline has been completed.
Backfire - A fire intentionally set along the interior edge of a fireline by Forest Fire Service staff to consume fuel in the path of a wildfire and/or to change the direction of force of a fire’s convection column.
Fireline - The part of a containment or control line that is scraped or dug to mineral soil.
Threatened - Critical infrastructure, roads, homes and commercial buildings that are in the vicinity of a wildfire.
#NJFFS #NJForestFireService #NewJerseyDEP
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