By Jean Mikle, Asbury Park Press
Fireworks have been identified as the cause of a wildfire that has torched 4,000 acres of pinelands in Burlington County and was about 65% contained on Sunday afternoon, according to the New Jersey Forest Fire Service.
A firework device lighted inside the forest ignited the fire late Thursday, July 4, and the Apple Pie Hill Fire Tower discovered the fire shortly after 9 a.m. Friday, July 5, according to the forest fire service, which led the investigation into the origin of the fire, assisted by the New Jersey State Park Police, the New Jersey Division of Fire Safety, and the Burlington County Fire Marshal’s Office.
The Tea Time Hill fire in Wharton State Forest started in Tabernacle. It is located in the area of Batona Campground and Apple Pie Hill, the forest fire service said.
The fire led to the evacuation of the Batona Campground, but no residences have been evacuated, and no structures are threatened, officials said.
Anyone with further information about the fire that could aid in the investigation should call the New Jersey State Park Police tip line, 844-PARK-TIP (844-727-5847).
Road closures in the area of the fire include Carranza Road from the Carranza Memorial to Speedwell Road at Friendship Field. There are also local road closures in Wharton State Forest.
What’s the Carranza Memorial? ‘Mexican Lindbergh’ crashed in the Pine Barrens
Previous fire coverage:
Wild fire continues to spread in South Jersey Pinelands
Pinelands wild fire continues to spread in Burlington County, NJ
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