Lightning Blamed For Wildfire Burning In South Jersey Pine Barrens
By Kim Glovas
HAMILTON TOWNSHIP, N.J. (CBS) -- A wildfire was burning in this morning in Hamilton Township (Atlantic County), NJ.
A spokesman for the New Jersey Forest Fire Service says 125 acres have burned and the blaze is now 20 percent contained.
State officials say smoke from the area may be affecting traffic on the Black Horse Pike and the Atlantic City Expressway, which border the area.
The state Department of Environmental Protection says the fire started around 7am, possibly from a lightning strike, because the area is in such a remote location. An investigation is underway.
The DEP says the fire is in a section of Hamilton Township known as Weymouth. Officials expect it will burn up to 150 acres before hitting natural firebreaks which include sand roads and other existing barriers.
An estimated 50 firefighters are battling the blaze with fire engines, water trucks, and tractor plows.
