TABERNACLE, NJ — A rapidly spreading wildfire that burned thousands of acres in southern New Jersey is now 65 percent contained, authorities say.
The fire in Wharton State Forest was reported Friday morning. Officials believe it started in the area of the Batona Campground in Tabernacle, which was evacuated as a precaution.
The New Jersey Forest Fire Service said Saturday that the fire has now burned an estimated 4,000 acres (1618.74 hectares), but they reported that they have made “substantial progress” in containing the fire. Officials said crews were monitoring and improving containment lines and conducting burnout operations in pockets with unburned fuel.
Officials said earlier that crews were using a backfire operation to battle the blaze, burning off areas ahead of the main fire to prevent the flames from spreading. Several roads and trails were closed.
The cause of the fire is still under investigation.