Airpark wildfire in Ocean County burns 831 acres near fatal airplane crash
LACEY TOWNSHIP, N.J. (CBS) -- A wildfire in Lacey Township, Ocean County, has burned 831 acres and is 90% contained, the New Jersey Forest Fire Service said Monday.
The NJFFS responded to the area of the wildfire, named the "Airpark Wildfire," near the Miller Air Park, an airport in Ocean County, early Sunday morning.
WILDFIRE UPDATE: Airpark Wildfire - Miller Airpark - Lacey Twp, Ocean County@njdepforestfire continues to make progress towards full containment of a wildfire burning in the area of the Miller Airpark in Lacey Twp.
— New Jersey Forest Fire Service (@njdepforestfire) September 5, 2023
The fire remains 831 acres in size and is now 90% contained. pic.twitter.com/MMXhVT6Q1M
The NJFFS is currently on the scene of the wildfire burning in the Air Park area.
The NJFFS said crews have continued to improve containment lines and are utilizing the backfiring operation to burn fuel ahead of the main fire.
The NJFFS said zero structures are threatened.
The NJFFS said Dover Road is closed from Lacey Road to Pinewald Keswick Road and Mule Road is closed from Lacey Road to Pinewald Keswick Road. But, local traffic is now permitted to travel on Dover and Mule Roads.
The post added that residents should anticipate additional road closures throughout the day due to heavy smoke conditions in these areas.
Also in Ocean County, the National Transportation Safety Board is investigating a Cirrus SR20 airplane crash in Toms River, New Jersey. The Federal Aviation Administration is also investigating the incident.
NTSB investigating Saturday night's crash of a Cirrus SR20 airplane in Toms River, New Jersey. NTSB investigator arriving on scene this afternoon.
— NTSB Newsroom (@NTSB_Newsroom) September 3, 2023
The Lacey Township Fire Department said the pilot died in the crash. The identity of the pilot isn't known at this time.
The Lacey Township FD said crews were notified about the smoky conditions off Dover and West Lacey Roads just before midnight on Saturday. But they weren't able to access the areas due to the smoke and fire, the Lacey Township FD said.
In the early morning hours of Sunday, crews were able to access the scene of the crash and confirmed the pilot was dead, the Lacey FD said.
Investigators are working to determine if the wildfire and plane crash are connected.
Due to the fire, the Miller Air Park remains closed.