Wharton State Forest Fire Has Consumed 3,500 Acres, But Is Now Contained, DEP Says

The brush fire in the woods of Wharton State Forest is now contained and about 30 percent controlled, a spokesman for the state Department of Environmental Protection said.

The blaze has now consumed 3,500 acres, said spokesman Bob Considine.

"There has been significant progress since our last update," he said.

There are still unburned pockets of fuel in the woods, northeast of Batsto Village.

"Crews will begin mop up operations today, while continuing to patrol and hold containment lines as the fire progresses through unburned interior pockets of fuel," Considine said. "The unburned pockets are well away from the containment lines.

The blaze is 100 percent contained and 30 percent controlled, he said.

Batsto Village has reopened today and so have all of the camping areas that were closed yesterday But trails like the Batona Trail near the fire area are still closed to visitors.

35 Forest Fire Service personnel are fighting the fire with 10 type 6 engines, one tractor and plow unit, three water tenders and an observation helicopter operating from Coyle Field, Considine said.

The New Jersey State Police, State Park Police, Washington Township and Bass River Township volunteer fire departments and EMS, state conservation officers, and members of the State Park service located at Batsto Village in Wharton State Forest all assisted.

Come back to Patch after 2 p.m. for another update.

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