Fire Burns Hot and Furious Through The Pine Barrens - Communities Threatened

This an eyewitness account from TheArgus.

A Forest Fire that started in Little Egg Harbor New Jersey, as the result of an Air Force F16 fighter jet making practice bombing runs over Warren Grove Bombing Range, burned fast and hot as a result of dry conditions and strong winds. The fire quickly thwarted efforts by the New Jersey Forest Fire service to stop the fire at County Route 539.

The fire burned through an area of the New Jersey Pine Barrens known as "The Plains" that is exclusively forested by pygmy pitch pines which grow only to a maximum of about 5 feet tall. As a result, there is no wind barrier and fires are fanned by the unfettered winds.

The fire easily jumped across the road and traveled into Barnegat Township and Stafford Township where it threatened populated areas and consumed several trailer homes. The sprawling retirement communities in Barnegat Township were under a mandatory evacuation orders. Barnegat Township had to call in neighboring Police Departments to assist with the evacuation efforts.

At the time of this report the fire has consumed 1000 acres and is 20 percent contained. No injuries or deaths have been reported.