Wildfires in New Jersey: 104 structures threatened as fire burns at border of Burlington, Camden counties

EVESHAM TWP., New Jersey (WPVI) — Dozens of buildings are threatened as a wildfire burns at the border of Burlington and Camden counties in New Jersey.

The fire is located in Evesham and Voorhees townships, the New Jersey Forest Fire Service said Thursday afternoon.

“We’re working around numerous structures and some homes have been evacuated at this point,” said NJ Forest Fire Service Chief Greg McLaughlin.

The blaze, dubbed the Bethany Run Wildfire, is 200 acres in size and is 0% contained.

A total of 104 structures are threatened. Officials said Thursday night that all evacuation orders have been lifted.

The following road closures are in effect:

• Kettle Run Road closed from Braddock Mill Road to Hopewell Road

• Access to the Sturbridge Lakes Development is closed

“The fire was very close to the houses. Crews initiated backfire tactics. So what that means is removing fuel between the main fire and the homes,” said Trevor Raynor, the assistant division forest fire warden.

Officials say a helicopter capable of dropping 350 gallons of water has been deployed, as have fire engines, bulldozers and ground crews.

The cause of this fire is under investigation.

‘Shotgun Wildfire”

This comes as the fight against a wildfire in Jackson Township, Ocean County that began on Wednesday continues.

That fire, which the New Jersey Forest Fire Service has dubbed the ‘Shotgun Wildfire,” consumed 300 acres as of Thursday morning and was 40% contained. Six families were briefly evacuated from their homes.

“Just smoke coming up and I was like, ‘What the heck is happening?’ It started billowing over to our house,” recalled Courtney Greenhoe of Jackson Township.

Crews battling 3rd fire

And in Gloucester County, crews are working to contain a wildfire burning in the Glassboro Wildlife Management Area.

No injuries have been reported in connection with the three fires.

Forest fire officials say there were 400 fires statewide in October. That’s a record in the agency’s history. They say this is also the driest they’ve ever seen it.

Something fire officials say you can do to protect your property is to clear away dry and dead leaves and pine needles, especially away from the side of your house and from your gutters. They’re extremely flammable and if an ember from one fire lands on something like this it can spark up another one.