Forest Fire Service: 'Significant progress' against blaze that started near Atco Dragway

Jim Walsh and Carol Comegno, Cherry Hill Courier-Post
Updated ·2 min read

WATERFORD - The New Jersey Forest Fire Service has reported "significant progress" in bringing a Wharton State Forest wildfire under control, even as the blaze grew to 1,500 acres and spread from Waterford to Medford and Shamong.

As of 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, the blaze was 85 percent contained, the fire service said.

But the agency added, "An observational flight this morning indicated that there are internal pockets of unburned fuel that will continue to burn today."

It said no buildings were threatened by the fire, which had been 75 percent contained at 9:30 p.m. Monday.

The fire's containment area includes forested land in Medford and Shamong and some along Jackson Road in Waterford, where flames broke out Sunday night near the former Atco Dragway.

Jackson Road was closed shortly from Atsion Road to Tremont Avenue before noon Monday and will remain closed until further notice, the fire service said.

No other road closings were expected.

Camden County officials urged motorists to find alternate routes around the fire.

A New Jersey Forest Fire Service firefighter is silhouetted by a fully involved section of a 200-acre wildfire early on Monday, Aug. 21, 2023, in Wharton State Forest along Jackson Road within Waterford Township. No reports of injuries or threats to buildings since the fire was spotted Sunday night.
A New Jersey Forest Fire Service firefighter is silhouetted by a fully involved section of a 200-acre wildfire early on Monday, Aug. 21, 2023, in Wharton State Forest along Jackson Road within Waterford Township. No reports of injuries or threats to buildings since the fire was spotted Sunday night.

The county's department of public safety was ready "to support the state with any needs they have while they fight this wildfire in Waterford,” County Commissioner Jonathan Young, the agency's liaison, said Monday.

“Nevertheless, and maybe more importantly, we need drivers to stay off Jackson Road in that area, so the firefighters can do their work and (to benefit) the health and welfare anyone entering the area by car.”

Who's failing on air quality in SJ? How is air quality in South Jersey, and what's being done to improve it?

When initially spotted early Sunday night, the fire was estimated at 100 acres along Jackson Road.

By 10 a.m. Monday it had spread to another 400 acres. A few hours later, it had tripled in size.

A New Jersey Forest Fire Service vehicle travels on a pathway within a 200-acre Waterford wildfire in Wharton State Forest near the closed Atco Dragway early on August 21, 2023.
A New Jersey Forest Fire Service vehicle travels on a pathway within a 200-acre Waterford wildfire in Wharton State Forest near the closed Atco Dragway early on August 21, 2023.

The Fire Service said crews used "a backfiring operation (Monday) to burn fuel ahead of the main body of fire throughout the day."

The agency said the fire was reported around 5:30 p.m. by its Medford firetower, then was triangulated by the Apple Pie Hill tower in Tabernacle.

Atco Dragway, also on Jackson Road, closed abruptly in mid-July. It announced the shutdown in a Facebook post that gave no reason for the track's demise after 63 years.

Visit https://twitter.com/njdepforestfire for other information.

This story will be updated.

This article originally appeared on Cherry Hill Courier-Post: South Jersey wildfire: Wharton State Forest fire burning near Atco