Story updated 11/8/2024 @ 10:45 a.m.
JACKSON – The New Jersey Forest Fire Service continues to make progress containing a wildfire burning in the Colliers Mills Wildlife Management Area in the area of Stump Tavern Road in the township
New Jersey Forest Fire Service crews are prepping and strengthening fire lines and are utilizing backing fire and burnout operations to contain what they are describing as a “Shotgun” wildfire. Local and county resources have structure protection in place for the impacted residence.
The fire size involves 350 acres and is currently 80 plus % contained with 0 structures threatened. At one point on Wednesday night, six residential homes evacuated on the west side of Stump Tavern Road and 15 structures were threatened – but as of Friday morning, progress has been made.
There are voluntary evacuations on the east side of Stump Tavern Road which remains closed from Route 571 to Route 528 in the township.
It was noted during a press conference this morning at Cassville Volunteer Fire Co., 785 Miller Ave., that the Forest Fire Service responded with fire engines, bulldozers and ground crews and a Forest Fire Service helicopter is also on scene for observation purposes.
The cause of this fire is under investigation but it is well known the state has been very dry and the temperature has been higher than normal this autumn. The latest prediction of rain is not until Monday.
The Fire Service also noted that there are no drones to be flown in fire zones. As noted, “if you fly, we can’t.”
Helpful Wildfire Terminology
- Wildfire – An uncontrolled fire burning the different types of vegetation that cover the land. A wildfire is considered a “major wildfire” after It exceeds 100 acres in size.
- Containment – When reporting on a wildfire a percentage of containment will be given, which will state how much of the fireline has been completed.
- Backfire – A fire intentionally set along the interior edge of a fireline by Forest Fire Service staff to consume fuel in the path of a wildfire and/or to change the direction of force of a fire’s convection column.
- Fireline – The part of a containment or control line that is scraped or dug to mineral soil.
- Threatened – Critical infrastructure, roads, homes and commercial buildings that are in the vicinity of a wildfire.
Temperatures of 83 degrees were experienced on Oct. 31 and Nov.6 when normally 58-degree weather would be expected according to local meteorologists. There has been 39 consecutive days of no rain the next opportunity being Sunday night going into Monday. It is unknown how this moisture will impact the fire zone area. The temperature this Saturday is expected to be around 58 degrees.
This fire is considered to be major. The NJ Fire Service said that in the last two weeks 238 wildfires were responded to.
The Fire Service representatives did say they hope to have this fire wrapped up soon with backfires to keep it from spreading and that has been successful.
Township Mayor Michael Reina told The Jackson Times, “I was at the scene yesterday for quite some time into the evening and once again personally witnessed the true grit and professionalism of the NJ State Forest Fire Service as well as all our FireFighters, Police and First Aiders. The combined efforts including mutual aid services was spot on and never once missed a beat. To witness these teams work as one is nothing short of incredible. I have been through many incidents here in Jackson and I can honestly say we are all very fortunate to have such dedicated and highly trained men and women protecting us, caring for us and making sure life, limb and property come before their personal needs. Truly awe inspiring. Thanking them is simply just not enough, may God protect them always.
