NJ wildfire erupts in Brendan T. Byrne State Forest in Manchester and Woodland

MANCHESTER — A wildfire is burning Sunday afternoon in a section of Brendan T. Byrne forest off Pasadena Road on the boundary of Manchester and Woodland townships, according to the New Jersey Forest Fire Service.

The fire had spread across 120 acres near a brick factory on Pasadena Road, according to the Forest Fire Service.

Seven structures were threatened, authorities said.

Firefighters are backfiring in the area to control the blaze.

Drivers are urged to avoid the area.

In addition, a compost pile caught fire at the east end of the Ocean County Landfill on Sunday, Police Capt. Vincent Manco said.

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Both fires were contributing to heavy smoke conditions throughout Manchester, he said.

Additional information on the Brendan T. Byrne forest fire was not immediately available.

Last week, another Pinelands wildfire erupted in Wharton State Forest to the south. Officials said it burned more than 13,000 acres.

Check back to app.com for more on this developing story.

Amanda Oglesby is an Ocean County native who covers Brick, Barnegat and Lacey townships as well as the environment. She has worked for the Press for more than a decade. Reach her at @OglesbyAPP, aoglesby@gannettnj.com or 732-557-5701.

This article originally appeared on Asbury Park Press: NJ forest fire: Wildfire erupts in Brendan Byrne State Forest