Firefighters continue to battle a forest fire that has consumed about 7,200 acres in southern New Jersey, but authorities say no injuries or property damage has been reported.
The fire broke out in a remote section of the Wharton State Forest and was discovered early Sunday afternoon, according to the New Jersey Forest Fire Service.
The fire initially was small in size but, fueled by dry and breezy conditions, it began spreading quickly Sunday night and was 45 percent contained by late Monday morning.
The cause of the fire is not yet known. The blaze, which was producing dense smoke , was spanning areas of Washington, Shamong, Hammonton and Mullica Township.
WILDFIRE UPDATE: Wharton State Forest – Mullica River Fire @njdepforestfire continues to make progress on containing a wildfire in Wharton State Forest – Washington, Shamong, Hammonton & Mullica Townships – which has reached 7,200 acres in size and is 45% contained. pic.twitter.com/2oi9YbFmRs
— New Jersey Forest Fire Service (@njdepforestfire) June 20, 2022