Wildfire Still Burning In South Jersey, Spans 1.5K Acres

SOUTH JERSEY — The Dragway Wildfire in Wharton State Forest continues to burn Tuesday morning in Camden and Burlington counties, having covered over 1,500 acres. But officials reported "significant progress" in combatting the blaze.

Crews have contained 85 percent of the fire as of 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, according to the New Jersey Forest Fire Service. The blaze has been burning around Jackson Road and the shuttered Atco Dragway in Waterford Township since Sunday afternoon.

Jackson Road remains closed until further notice between Tremont Avenue and Atison Road in Waterford. Camden County officials are urging drivers to find alternate routes.

No structures are threatened, and no evacuations have been required as of Tuesday morning, officials said. The fire also hasn't grown since Monday night, when officials reported 75 percent containment.

The fire reached 200 acres Sunday night and grew to 600 acres as of 10 a.m. Monday, with 10 percent contained at that time in the state forest. By late Monday afternoon, the size of the blaze doubled to 1,200 acres, with the containment area expanding into Medford and Shamong in Burlington County.

Jackson Road crosses through Warton State Forest in the Waterford Township area. The former Atco Dragway — a drag-racing complex that closed suddenly last month — is also on the roadway, near the woodlands.