Wildfire Swells To 9 Square Miles As Crews Make Progress In South Jersey

SHAMONG, NJ — A wildfire in Wharton State Forest swelled to 9 square miles but has been largely contained, officials said Sunday.

The Mines Spung Wildfire, detected Friday morning in Shamong Township, brought smoke, hazy skies and fallen ash to South Jersey's more populous communities located west of the remote area.

The blaze grew to 5,750 acres (8.98 square miles) but is 80 percent contained as of noon Sunday, according to the New Jersey Forest Fire Service. The fire is slowing down, creeping and smoldering within the containment lines that crews created.

Air quality continued to improve throughout the region on Sunday. Previously, emergency officials told South Jersey residents that they should close their windows and advised people with respiratory issues to stay inside as much as possible.

A campground in the area and several roadways remain closed as of Sunday. (See the list of closures below.)

Five structures in the area remain under threat, but the Lower Forge Campground has the only lingering evacuation order. On Friday, the Phillip M. Costello Preparatory Academy was evacuated in nearby Tabernacle.

Although most of the fire has been contained, it will continue to burn until the area gets significant rainfall, the Forest Fire Service said.

The Forest Fire Service plans to update its progress around 12:30 p.m. Monday.

The cause of the fire is under investigation.

WILDFIRE AT A GLANCE

(as of noon Sunday)

Evacuations and Structures Threatened

• Lower Forge Campground evacuated
• five unspecified structures under threat

Road Closures

• local forest roads
• Tuckerton Road from Carranza Road to Washington Turnpike
• Carranza Road from Forked Neck Road to Tuckerton Road
• Bulldozer Road
• Hampton Road

Trail Closures

• The Batona Trail between Carranza Road and Quaker Bridge Road