Roads Reopening, 5,000-Acre Wildfire Still Burning In South Jersey

TUCKERTON, NJ - A massive wildfire that started earlier this week continues to burn through a South Jersey state forest, resulting in several road closures as firefighters battle the spreading blaze.

Dubbed the Allen Road Wildfire, the blaze was first reported at around 6:20 p.m. on Wednesday, according to the New Jersey Forest Fire Service. As of Friday afternoon, the fire spanned 5,000 acres and was 50 percent contained.

“A backfiring operation to help contain the fire continued today to assist in achieving containment goals,” state forest fire officials said in an update at around 5:15 p.m. Thursday.

As of Friday afternoon, the following roads are still closed:

• Allen Road
• Oswego Road

The Garden State Parkway was also closed in both directions between exits 38 and 63 due to “reduced visibility caused by heavy smoke from the Bass River State Forest wildfire and dense fog,” parkway authorities said Friday morning.

It has reopened as of 10 a.m. Friday, though drivers are urged to use caution in the area.

Zero structures are threatened, compared to the six structures threatened Thursday morning. The Timberline Campground, which has since evacuated around 40 people according to NJ.com, remains closed. The Batona Trail is also closed in Bass River State Forest.

This isn't the first time a major wildfire has been reported in the area this year. In April, a forest fire burned over 1,600 acres of the Bass River State Forest, the Stafford Forge Wildlife Management Area and the Warren Grove Bombing Range. Read more: 1,600-Acre Forest Fire Fully Contained In Southern Ocean

A 158-acre forest fire was reported earlier this week on Monday in the White Oaks Wildlife Management Area in Franklin and Monroe townships, according to a tweet from the New Jersey Forest Fire Service. The fire was 100 percent contained as of 2 p.m. Tuesday, per the NJ Forest Fire Service, though smoky conditions may persist in the area for several days, fire officials added. Read more: 158-Acre South Jersey Forest Fire Fully Contained, Officials Say