The grant was awarded after a surge in wildfires near Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst in Burlington County and Warren Grove Range, a heavily-used National Guard training site in Ocean County.
Fire officials said Monday they have ruled out natural causes in connection with the wildfire that has burned over 12,000 acres in the Wharton State Forest.
Earlier this week, the New Jersey Forest Fire Service battled the Mullica River fire which burned nearly 15,000 acres through the state's Pine Barrens.
With the Wharton State Forest fire almost contained, Batsto Village plans to reopen and Batsto Church has invited firefighters to an ice cream thank you party.