Wildfire in South Jersey Scorches 293 Acres as Strong Winds Spread Smoke Across Salem County

A large wildfire broke out at Fort Mott State Park in Pennsville Township, Salem County, New Jersey, on Saturday afternoon.

The fire started around 2 p.m. and quickly spread due to strong winds and dry conditions.

As the flames grew, thick black smoke filled the sky and was visible for miles.

Traffic cameras operated by the Delaware Department of Transportation (DelDOT) captured the heavy smoke drifting across the Delaware River.

Earlier that morning, the National Weather Service had warned about an increased risk of wildfires in the region.

A special advisory had been issued because of low humidity and high winds, which made it easier for fires to start and spread.

By the time the fire started, wind speeds had already reached 25 mph, with gusts as strong as 40 mph.

These conditions caused the fire to spread quickly through the dry vegetation in the park’s marshland near Delaware Bay.

At first, the fire was estimated to be about 25 acres in size, but within a few hours, it had doubled to 50 acres.

Firefighters from multiple departments rushed to the scene, but the strong winds made it difficult to control the blaze.

According to Peter Mount of the New Jersey Forest Fire Service, the fire grew from 35 to 40 acres in less than 30 minutes after he arrived.

The winds also grounded aircraft that could have helped fight the fire from above, which made containment even more challenging.

Christopher Franek, another official from the New Jersey Forest Fire Service, explained that wind speeds of 35 to 40 mph made it nearly impossible to keep up with the rapidly spreading flames.

By Sunday afternoon, firefighters had managed to contain 90% of the fire.

However, by that point, nearly 293 acres had already burned.

Fortunately, no buildings were lost, and no one had to evacuate.

Instead, residents were told to shelter in place while crews worked to keep the fire from reaching nearby homes.

The smoke from the wildfire was so thick that weather radar systems detected it, which made it appear as if a major storm was forming over South Jersey.

The smoke spread across Salem and Cumberland counties.

At the same time, strong winds may have contributed to power outages reported in southeastern Pennsylvania.

PECO reported that nearly 1,000 customers lost power around the same time the fire broke out.

Even though firefighters had most of the fire under control by late Sunday, they remained on high alert.

Two brush trucks patrolled the area overnight to watch for any hot spots or flare-ups.

More crews were scheduled to return on Monday morning to ensure the fire was fully contained.

This was just one of several wildfires in New Jersey over the past few days.

In Hopewell Township, Mercer County, another large fire burned 293 acres and threatened about 30 buildings before it was 90% contained.

Meanwhile, in Gloucester Township, a separate brush fire burned at least 40 acres along Primrose Lane and Erial Road.

One of the biggest reasons these fires spread so quickly is the ongoing drought in New Jersey.

The U.S. Drought Monitor reports that the entire state is experiencing some drought, with South Jersey classified as being in severe or extreme drought conditions.

This means the vegetation is very dry and easily catches fire, creating dangerous conditions when combined with high winds.

Currently, investigators are trying to determine what caused the fire at Fort Mott State Park.

Because of the dry and windy conditions, it’s possible that the fire started naturally or was accidentally sparked.

But since multiple fires have broken out across the state in such a short time, officials are also considering the possibility of human involvement.

During the dangerous conditions, firefighters worked around the clock to contain the fire, and many residents expressed their appreciation for their efforts.

Hopewell resident Chip Shaw shared how close the fire came to his area, explaining that at one point, the flames were on the side of the road near his home.

But by morning, most of the fire had already been put out, showing just how hard the firefighters worked overnight.

For now, the New Jersey Forest Fire Service continues monitoring the situation.

Although the fire at Fort Mott State Park is nearly contained, the risk of new wildfires remains high due to the ongoing drought and strong winds.

Officials urge residents to be extra cautious and avoid activities that could accidentally start a fire.