Wharton State Forest Fire Is Out, Lightning Strike Was The Cause, DEP Says

Lightning, not human activity, was the cause of the Wharton State Forest fire that gobbled up 3,500 acres deep in the Pine Barrens, a spokesman for the state Department of Environmental Protection said.

"An investigation found that the cause of the fire was a lightning strike on several trees on the evening of Wednesday, July 19," said spokesman Bob Considine. "Those trees were struck, including a large pine tree where the fire started and spread to other trees before the fire’s discovery from a tower at 1:20 pm on Thursday, July 20."

The fire is now 100 percent contained and controlled. Overnight rains and night crews were able to suppress the bulk of the blaze, he said.

"Mop-up operations will continue as needed over the next few days," Considine said.

Batsto Village and a number of campgrounds and trails were closed during the first day of the fire, but were reopened.

New Jersey Forest Fire Service led the investigation into the cause of the fire, with assistance from State Park Police, New Jersey State Police, the Burlington County Fire Marshall and the New Jersey Division of Fire Safety, Considine said.

The State Forest Fire Service also thank the local volunteer fire departments and emergency medical services of Burlington County for their assistance .

"While the cause of this fire was natural, a vast majority of forest fires are the result of human activity, whether in made error, out of negligence or by deliberate actions," Considine said. "Visitors to state parks and forests are encourage to follow safety protocols when traveling through or camping in or near these fire-prone areas."

More information about outdoor fire safety can be found on our website at http://www.state.nj.us/dep/parksandforests/fire/wildfire-prevent-edu-outdoor.htm

Photo: Patch file photo