Wharton State Forest wildfire was started by fireworks, New Jersey fire service says
TABERNACLE, N.J. (CBS) -- A wildfire that's burned 4,000 acres of South Jersey's Wharton State Forest was started by fireworks, according to the New Jersey State Forest Service.
The department said the fire, named the Tea Time Hill Wildfire, started late on July 4 after fireworks were lit inside the forest. The Apple Pie Hill Fire Tower detected the fire around 9 a.m. the following day.
As of Monday at 8 p.m., the fire was 90% contained, according to New Jersey Forest Fire Service. Forest Fire Service staff "will remain on scene and continue to monitor control lines and address areas of concern until significant precipitation occurs to ensure public safety," the service said on social media Monday evening.
Drivers in the area should be cautious of smoke, the post said. No injuries have been reported, according to the fire service.
WILDFIRE UPDATE: Tea Time Hill Wildfire - Wharton State Forest - Tabernacle Twp, Burlington County
— New Jersey Forest Fire Service (@njdepforestfire) July 9, 2024
At 8:00 p.m. Monday, July 8, @NJDEPForestFire reached 90% containment of a 4,300-acre wildfire in the area of the Batona Campground and Apple Pie Hill in Wharton State Forest. pic.twitter.com/8cegESYOjn
Though NJFFS previously said a residential structure and a hunting club were threatened by the blaze, both threats were cleared as of Saturday morning. The fire service said no structures are currently threatened by the fire.
Anyone with information about how the fire started is asked to contact New Jersey State Park Police at 844-PARK-TIP (844-727-5847).
Out of precaution, the forest's Batona Campground was evacuated by park police after the fire broke out on July 5 and remains closed.
In a Facebook post Sunday, the NJFFS said the Batona Trail is closed between Route 532 and Carranza Road, as is the Tulpehocken Trail from Apple Pie Hill to Hawkins Bridge.
Local roads inside the Wharton State Forest are still closed Monday, along with Carranza Road from the Carranza Memorial to Speedwell Road at Friendship Field.
"The New Jersey State Park Police reminds visitors to New Jersey's state parks, forests and recreation areas that fireworks are strictly prohibited," the post said. "This includes, but is not limited to, beaches, campgrounds, fields and forested areas."
In 2023, more than forest 18,000 acres were burned in New Jersey and NJFFS responded to more major fires than they had in over 20 years.
The state's first major wildfire of 2024 was the County Line wildfire between Burlington and Camden counties.