After several days of intense effort, firefighters have fully contained the County Line Wildfire that ravaged 510 acres of Wharton State Forest in South Jersey.
The wildfire, which began early Wednesday morning, spread rapidly through portions of Waterford Township in Camden County and Shamong Township in Burlington County. It quickly became the largest forest fire of the year in New Jersey, raising concerns during the peak of the state’s wildfire season.
As of 8 a.m. Thursday, the flames were fully contained, with no reported injuries or damage to homes or buildings. While the fire service continues to monitor the area, motorists are advised to remain cautious of smoke, and firefighters working on the roadsides.
Jackson Road, the only road closure resulting from the fire, has since reopened, bringing relief to local commuters. However, the Goshen Campground, which was evacuated as a precautionary measure, will remain closed until Sunday. Additionally, three popular trails in the state park — Burnt Mill, Goshen Pond, and Sleeper Creek — will stay closed until officials assess their safety.
Spring is notorious for wildfires in New Jersey, particularly in April, due to factors like foliage growth, low humidity, and windy conditions. Despite efforts to prevent wildfires, 99% of them in the state are human-caused. Moreover, climate change is exacerbating the situation, leading to larger and more frequent wildfires, as well as prolonging the wildfire season.
Wharton State Forest, spanning over 110,000 acres across Burlington, Camden, and Atlantic counties, is New Jersey’s largest state forest and a vital part of the Pinelands ecosystem. As the forest recovers from this recent blaze, it serves as a reminder of the importance of wildfire prevention and conservation efforts in preserving our natural landscapes.
