HAMMONTON – New Jersey Forest Fire Chief Greg McClawllin said Tuesday that authorities are now controlling 95% of Warton County forest fires as they investigate illegal wildfires.
The blaze broke out Sunday afternoon and burned down 15,000 acres[15,000 ha]in the Wilton Forest, Hamtonton, Washington, Shamong and Mulica cities in the Burlington Gloucester and Atlantic provinces.
About 75 firefighters are still on the scene. Employees are expected to take a few more days to fully recover, McLaughlin said.
We should all take pride in the amazing New Jersey Forest Fire Service, which worked tirelessly to control the Mulika River wildfire and protected the lives, safety and well-being of New Jersey residents, visitors and property. And our infrastructure and natural resources are on the rise, ”said Sean M. Latoret, Commissioner of the Department of Environmental Protection.
MapSee where the Warton State Forest Fire is burning with our fire map
As of Tuesday, 18 structures were still in danger, state officials said.
Officials said the blaze, which broke out in a remote area of the forest, was being investigated and was believed to be the cause of the blaze.
The fire was considered “illegal” because it took place in an unoccupied area of campground in the park, McLalanlin.
About 50 park visitors were evacuated from Lake Genet and State Campus on Sunday, officials said.
No injuries were reported.
By the time Sunday’s explosion, most park visitors had begun to leave, according to SDP officials.
Latoret issued a warning to park visitors about the dangers of man-made fires.
“Most wildfires are man-made,” he said. “Please, please practice fire safety. Report them when you see them, do not start them where they are not allowed and take them out on a walk, camp or re-create. And when you think you’re out, check it out three times. “
New Jersey Pinesland is particularly vulnerable to fire because the region’s sandy, fast-drying soils and vegetation are both fire-resistant and flame-retardant, says Jason Grabowski, professor of forestry and tree biology at Rutgers University.
“In that part of New Jersey, lightning – like our natural light source – is a well-known and historic riot in that area,” he said. “So the species are suitable for him.”
Local peach pines often survive wildfires and rely on the flames. Their cones open at room temperature and then sow fertile, freshly burned soil, Grabsky said.
“There are some aspects of smoke that make certain plant species grow. There are creatures that are unique to fire cycle systems,” Grabowski said.
He said the deforestation caused by the fire will reduce the pressure on the trees and bring in healthy and strong trees.
Researchers from Michael Gallagher, a US forest conservationist in New Jersey, Pinsland, study the effects of the blaze. .
“We can learn if the recently burned areas do less damage than the burned areas for a while,” he said. “We can also learn how past fire scars can be useful for controlling future fires.”
The study carefully monitors fires controlled by firefighters and helps guide future fires to prevent fires that are large and difficult to control in neighborhoods, roads and infrastructure.
But even when wildfires reach the brink of deforestation in the state of Warton, Pinelanders can recover quickly, Gallger said.
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“Most of the plants have been killed by fire and will start to grow quickly after the fire,” he said. Other plants… They have sowing techniques that can be sown quickly or already have seeds in the ground waiting for them to germinate after a fire.
This will feed on wildlife cycling cycling and frequency, which is important for cooperation between the State Forest Fire Service and local fire departments in the region.
According to Dan Rooney, head of the Barneg Volunteer Fire Company, most of the volunteers are trained in wild land and fire protection. Ocean County fire companies train each year with the Forest Fire Service because of the growing danger in the area.
Barnegat also participates in the New Jersey Firewall Community Program, which helps homeowners learn how to protect their property by burning leaves and fuels and burning trees and shrubs around buildings.
The fire chief said that volunteer firefighters like him could always use extra help.
“Neighbors are helping their neighbors,” says Rooney. “No one is better than the people around you to protect your own communities.”
Nearly 1,500 wildfires annually destroy or destroy 7,000 acres of forest in New Jersey, according to the Department of Environmental Protection.
Currently, the department lists ocean, Burlington and Monmouth counties, as well as parts of the Merser and Midslex counties.
Near the Warton Forest, Batto Village, Atsion Recreation Area and nearby hiking and mountain biking are kept open for visitors. The Mulica River and Lower Forge camps were also closed. Kayaks and canoes are closed from the Atyon Recreation to the Batto village near the Mulica River. Pinelands Adventures has banned kayaking and canoeing.
Nicholas Fernandez is a Breaking News reporter. A lifelong resident of New Jersey, he previously worked as a feature writer and sports reporter. Contact him at 732-540-4401 or nfernandes@gannettnj.com
