Officials: 3,500-Acre Forest Fire Fully Contained In New Jersey
WASHINGTON TOWNSHIP, N.J. (CBS) — A fire in a remote part of New Jersey's Wharton State Forest continues to burn, but officials say it is now fully contained.
The 3,500-acre fire near the historic Batsto Village continued to burn Saturday, but the state Department of Environmental Protection said it was 100 percent contained.
As of 2 p.m., officials say the fire is 30 percent controlled.
Robert Geist, a spokesman for the New Jersey Forest Fire Service, says no homes or buildings are threatened by the fire.
The village was open to visitors on Saturday but trails like the Batona Trail near the fire area are still closed to visitors.
PHOTOS: Large Forest Fire Affecting Jersey Shore Coastline
Chopper 3 was over the Wharton State Forest in Washington Township, Burlington County on Friday, as the flames consumed the area.
It wasn't the salty ocean air people expected to breath in that caught their attention in Brigantine.
"When I got up this morning I went on the deck to let the dogs out and I smelled something, it smelt like rubber though burning and I was curious what it was," said Caroline Bedlivy, who was visiting the shore town.
Brigantine Councilman Michael Riordan says the strong smell lead enough people to call 9-1-1 in the town, the police had to put out a notice to tell people stop calling.
"The chief put out a tweet to let people know don't call 9-1-1, it's the fire causing the smell and everything will be okay," said Riordan.
About 10 miles inland smoke filled the air around the Hamilton Mall, and some cars had a thin layer of ashes.
A little further north in Atlantic County we saw smoke blowing across the White Horse Pike in Egg Harbor City.
"This morning it was like driving in and waking up to fog that's how thick it was this morning," said Sylvia Snider.
While the New Jersey Fire Service reports no damage to homes, they expect the fire to grow before it is completely contained.
The cause of the fire is unknown.
Officials urge residents to check the Wharton State Forest website to see if trails are closed.
They also say the next update will be after 6 p.m. Saturday.
