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Wildfire Consumes 450 Acres Of Wharton State Forest (Updated)

A wildfire has consumed 450 acres in Wharton State Forest in Burlington County, authorities said on Friday, July 5.

Firefighters battled a wildfire along Jackson Road at Wharton State Forest in April 2024.

Firefighters battled a wildfire along Jackson Road at Wharton State Forest in April 2024.

Photo Credit: New Jersey Forest Fire Service file photo

The "Tea time Hill" wildfire had not been contained at all as of 3 p.m., the New Jersey Forest Fire Service said.

The Forest Fire Service is on scene of the wildfire burning in the area of the Batona Campground and Apple Pie Hill in Tabernacle Township, the state agency said on Facebook.

A hunting club and one home were threatened by fire, the agency said.

The Batona Campground in Wharton State Forest has been evacuated, it said. Local forest roads were closed nearby.

Later Friday, Carranza Road was expected to be closed from the Carranza Memorial to Speedwell Road at Friendship Field, the agency said.

Also:

  • The Batona Trail was closed between Route 532 and Carranza Road.

  • The Tulpehocken Trail is closed from Apple Pie Hill to Hawkins Bridge

The Forest Fire Service has responded to the wildfire with ground crews and an observation helicopter.

Crews are utilizing a backfire operation to burn fuel ahead of the main body of fire which will help aid containment efforts, the forest fire service said.

The next update is set for 8:30 p.m. on Friday on Facebook.

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