UpdatedTue, May 18, 2021 at 10:29 pm ET
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Fires burning in the Bass River and Brendan T. Byrne state forests and dry, warm weather in the forecast for the coming days have prompted a ban on open burning by New Jersey officials. (New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection)
NEW JERSEY If you were planning to sit around your fire pit this weekend to relax, you may have to do it without flames. New Jersey officials plan to ban open burning in 11 counties until further notice in several counties.
The ban on open burning takes effect at 8 a.m. Wednesday, officials said, and was put in place as fire crews continue to battle two large forest fires in the southern portion of the state.
The New Jersey Forest Fire Service say they have achieved 100 percent containment of a 617-acre wildfire burning since Sunday in portions of Bass River State Forest in Little Egg Harbor Township, Ocean County and in Burlington County.
The wildfire was first spotted around 4 p.m. Sunday. It was burning in an area with limited accessibility inside Bass River State Forest, according to the fire service.
Firefighters attempted controlled burns to prevent the fire from spreading to the Offshore Manor development where it threatened homes along Route 9, according to the
“We are extremely grateful, very proud. Proud of the DEP’s forest firefighters as well as all the local firefighters that came throughout the county. I believe even Burlington County firefighters came,” one resident said.
As New Jersey firefighters gained control of one forest fire in the heavily wooded Pinelands region, a second broke out, and was halfway contained as of Tuesday afternoon.
N.J. orders fire restrictions in 11 counties due to dry conditions, recent forest fires
Updated 12:30 PM;
Today 11:48 AM
A wildfire continues to burn in the Bass River State Forest, Monday, May 17, 2021.Lori M. Nichols | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com
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Open fires are temporarily off limits in wooded areas in about half of New Jersey following two recent forest fires that scorched more than 1,000 acres of land, along with concerns about hot, dry conditions across the state.
Stage 3 fire restrictions began today in 11 of New Jersey’s 21 counties, meaning lighting fires “within or adjacent to forested areas” is not allowed unless they’re contained in an elevated stove using only propane, natural gas, gas or electricity, the New Jersey Forest Fire Service said.
PEMBERTON Smoke and road closures filled the area near Brendan T. Byrne State Forest on 4 Mile Road, as a forest fire engulfed hundreds of acres Monday night and Tuesday.
Residents are asked to use caution traveling as roads open near the fire. No structures were threatened by the blaze as of Tuesday evening.
The New Jersey Forest Fire Service (NJFFS) is working to contain the flames. Pemberton Township Volunteer Fire Department posted a social media update Tuesday morning saying the fire had been about 50 percent contained.
The Batona Trail is closed to public until further notice.
As of Tuesday afternoon, the fire had consumed up to 400 acres, the New Jersey Forest Fire Service said.