Latest news with #NewJerseyForestFireService
Time of India
15-06-2025
- Climate
- Time of India
'Making progress': New Jersey wildfire 60% contained as crew battle flames; evacuations ordered
(PTI photo) Firefighters in New Jersey have contained 60% of a massive wildfire burning through Wharton State Forest, officials confirmed Saturday, as crews continue to battle the blaze that has scorched more than 5,000 acres since Thursday. The Mines Spung Wildfire, first reported by a private pilot on June 13, has threatened several structures in Shamong Township and forced evacuations, according to the New Jersey Forest Fire Service. "We're making progress," said chief Bill Donnelly of the state fire service during a Saturday press conference, though he acknowledged that the fire remains active. 'The fire has got some serious burning going on right now and with that, we're having a hard time to control it.' According to USA Today, Firefighters have deployed helicopters, bulldozers, fire engines, and ground crews to contain the flames. The cause of the fire is still under investigation. The blaze prompted evacuations at the Lower Forge campground in Washington Township and Shamong's Costello Preparatory Academy, a state-run community home for males with substance abuse histories. Authorities also closed several roads in Shamong and part of the Batona Trail in South Jersey to hikers. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like 5 Books Warren Buffett Wants You to Read In 2025 Blinkist: Warren Buffett's Reading List Undo Smoke from the wildfire was reported as far away as Pennsylvania and Delaware on Friday evening, according to CBS affiliate KYW-TV. The wildfire is burning near the Carranza Memorial in Tabernacle, a 12-foot stone monument dedicated to famed Mexican aviator Emilio Carranza Rodriguez. Carranza, hailed as 'the Lindbergh of Mexico,' died in a 1928 crash at the site while flying home to Mexico from New York City during a thunderstorm. Officials said the fire service would provide another update at around 2:30pm Saturday.
USA Today
14-06-2025
- Climate
- USA Today
New Jersey wildfire burns over 4,000 acres in Wharton State Forest
New Jersey wildfire burns over 4,000 acres in Wharton State Forest Show Caption Hide Caption Steve Carell 's prom gift stuns California students hit by wildfires Steve Carell teamed up with Alice's Kids charity to surprise wildfire-affected high school students in Southern California with free prom tickets. Emergency officials in New Jersey confirmed that firefighters have contained 40% of the state's wildfire in the Wharton State Forest on Saturday. The Mines Spung Wildfire, first reported by a private pilot on June 13, has burned approximately 4,200 acres, according to the New Jersey Forest Fire Service. Firefighters were "making progress" in containing the blaze in Shamong Township, New Jersey, deploying fire engines, helicopters, bulldozers and ground, according to the state service. The cause of the fire, which has threatened five structures, is under investigation. "The fire has got some serious burning going on right now and with that, we're having a hard time to control it," the state fire service's Chief Bill Donnelly told reporters during a press conference. The smell of smoke was reported in New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and Delaware Friday evening, going into the weekend, according to CBS station KYW-TV. Evacuations prompted The blaze prompted several evacuations, including Shamong's Costello Preparatory Academy, a state-run community home for males with a history of substance abuse. Authorities also evacuated the Lower Forge campground in Washington Township, closed roads in Shamong and closed the part of South Jersey's Batona Trail to hikers. The service is expected to provide another update Saturday at around 2:30 p.m. local time. Wildfire burns near monument honoring Mexican aviator The Mines Spung Wildfire was burning near the Carranza Memorial in Tabernacle, New Jersey. The 12-foot stone monument honors Emilio Carranza Rodriguez, a Mexican aviator who died in a crash at the Pinelands site in 1928, the New Jersey State Park Service website states. The acclaimed captain from Coahuila, Mexico, became widely known in the summer of 1928 after an emergency landing in New Jersey during a flight from Mexico City to Washington, D.C. He later died during a thunderstorm while flying from New York City to Mexico, according to the New Jersey State Park Service. The site of the fatal crash is where the Carranza Memorial stands. Jim Walsh is a senior reporter for the Courier-Post, Burlington County Times and The Daily Journal. His email is Jwalsh@ Anthony Robledo is a national trending reporter for USA TODAY. He can be reached arobledo@
Yahoo
13-06-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
Aerial footage shows New Jersey wildfire burning Wharton State Forest
SHAMONG TOWNSHIP, N.J. – A wildfire erupted in the Wharton State Forest in southern New Jersey on Friday morning, quickly spreading and scorching at least 100 acres of land. Known as the Mines Sprung Fire, the inferno was first reported by a private aircraft flying over the area, the New Jersey Forest Fire Service said. Aerial footage showed thick plumes of gray smoke billowing up from the dark green trees of the forest. As of Friday afternoon, the fire is 0% contained and has led to several road and trail closures. How To Watch Fox Weather The forest fire service noted that no structures are currently threatened or evacuated, but the Lower Forge Campground has been cleared of people. The cause of the fire is still under investigation. The Mines Sprung Fire is the latest in a few wildfires that have recently ignited in the Garden State. In April, the Jones Road Fire forced thousands of people in Ocean County to evacuate, as it ultimately burned more than 13,000 acres. Months earlier, around Halloween, the aptly-named Halloween Fire in Cumberland County burned over 100 acres. The fires came as New Jersey and parts of the Northeast have experienced drought and high article source: Aerial footage shows New Jersey wildfire burning Wharton State Forest
CBS News
13-06-2025
- Climate
- CBS News
Wildfire burning in Wharton State Forest, New Jersey Forest Fire Service says
A wildfire has erupted in a section of Wharton State Forest in Shamong Township, the New Jersey Forest Fire Service and Department of Environmental Protection say. The Burlington County wildfire is expected to grow into a major wildfire, meaning it would be more than 100 acres in size. No injuries or structural damage have been reported at this time. This is a developing story. Check back for updates.
USA Today
20-05-2025
- USA Today
Teen charged in New Jersey fire denies responsibility for blaze: 'I kicked dirt on it'
Teen charged in New Jersey fire denies responsibility for blaze: 'I kicked dirt on it' Show Caption Hide Caption Joseph Kling, accused of starting the Jones Road wildfire, speaks with media Joseph Kling, accused of starting the Jones Road wildfire, speaks with the media after appearing for an early disposition conference in Toms River. TOMS RIVER, NJ — A New Jersey man accused of sparking a massive wildfire in central New Jersey in April denied responsibility for the blaze, saying other people with him should have extinguished the fire. Joseph Kling, 19, of Waretown, was charged with aggravated arson, arson, and hindering apprehension in connection with the Jones Road wildfire on April 23, according to the Ocean County Prosecutor's Office. The fire erupted on April 22 in Waretown — an unincorporated community on the Jersey Shore — and rapidly spread throughout the southern Ocean County area. The fire, determined to be the second largest in New Jersey in the past 20 years, consumed more than 15,000 acres of the Pine Barrens and destroyed at least one building and multiple outbuildings and vehicles. The blaze was declared 100% contained on May 12, according to the New Jersey Forest Fire Service. The cause of the fire was determined to be incendiary by an improperly extinguished bonfire, according to authorities. Prosecutors accused Kling of setting wooden pallets on fire and then leaving the area without the fire being fully extinguished. Following a brief court appearance on May 19, Kling told reporters there were 19 other people present at that bonfire, and 16 of them remained there when he left to help a friend in a dirt bike accident. Kling also said he tried to put out the fire before he left by kicking dirt on it. "I told them (the police) there were other people down there, and they ignored me," Kling said in front of the Ocean County Justice Complex with an electronic monitoring device visible on his ankle. "I kicked dirt on it and everything. I had the flame almost out." Following his arrest, Kling had been held in the Ocean County Jail until May 5, when Superior Court Judge Pamela Snyder placed him in home detention with an electronic monitoring anklet. The suspect is also charged in an unrelated case with simple assault and endangering an injured person in connection with a brawl that took place in the woods in Lacey in January. 2025 got off to a deadly start: How bad will wildfire season be in the US this year? Teen charged with setting wildfire A second teenage boy was also arrested in connection with the Jones Road wildfire. A 17-year-old, who was identified in court documents as the person who crashed his dirt bike, was charged with aggravated arson and hindering apprehension, Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer said on May 2. Gregory Lenzi, an assistant prosecutor for Ocean County, said the two defendants lied to police by falsely telling them that Mexican people started the blaze. An examination of phones belonging to both defendants revealed a chat between the two "appearing to refute the claim that Mexicans started the fire," according to Lenzi. Lenzi also noted that two others who were in the woods at the time of the incident told police that only the four of them were present when Kling placed two wooden pallets in a pit with gasoline and a gas-soaked item and lit it on fire. Those two people were identified in court documents as the defendants' girlfriends. "We caused the fire," the girlfriend of the 17-year-old defendant charged in the case said in a Snapchat conversation with a classmate, according to an affidavit of probable cause. Snapchat is a social media and instant messaging app where users can send videos, pictures, and messages that are usually only available for a short period. What to know: Greer Fire scorches over 20,000 acres across eastern Arizona Defense attorney argues Kling did not start the wildfire In response to Kling's comments on May 19, Billhimer said the investigation remains ongoing. "It would be inappropriate for us to offer further comment regarding the proofs," Billhimer said. "I will say that we look forward to trying this case in a courtroom, not on the courthouse steps." Kling's attorney, Joseph Compitello, said he expects more people to be prosecuted for the fire after a full investigation. The defense attorney insisted his client did not start the fire. Compitello said Kling "was unfortunately pinpointed, he was taken preemptively, and his statements, which have been consistent from day one, have been ignored, pushed aside," and not taken seriously. Julie Peterson, an assistant prosecutor for Ocean County, said at a news conference that no plea offer has been extended to Kling due to the active investigation. She said there still may be additional victims coming forward. "The state is still gathering information to get a big picture of the damage in the area," Peterson told Superior Court Judge Guy P. Ryan. Contributing: Thao Nguyen, USA TODAY
