Crews battle 5-acre wildfire at Brendan T. Byrne State Forest in New Jersey
The New Jersey Forest Fire Service is asking the public to avoid the area of Brendan T. Byrne State Forest in Pemberton Township, Burlington County due to crews battling a wildfire.
More than two dozen people have been working since early Wednesday morning making progress to put out the five-acre fire that officials said is now contained.
Fire officials posted on Facebook this afternoon that the multi-acre wildfire is in the Mary Ann Forge Road area in Brendan T. Byrne State Forest.
A large plume of smoke could be seen filling the air this afternoon. There are still some flames that fire crews are dealing with and actively trying to put out.
NJFFS said they got word about the fire overnight but didn't find it until this morning.
"We were able to get on it quick and contain it. No road closures. No structures threatened." said Forest Fire Warden Trevor Raynor. "There probably will be some lingering smoke from this fire because it's so dry. The fire is going to be burning deep but the crews are out there putting it out."
This is the most recent small fire to break out in South Jersey. The dry and breezy conditions are not helping.
Fire officials said the current fire risk in central and South Jersey is very high.
It's still unclear how the fire started and officials are reminding people that campfire restrictions are in place.