The unusually hot, dry weather conditions have made it a tough week for the spread of wildfires. In the latest, firefighters are gaining control of a wildfire off Route 23 in West Milford. It spread to 400 acres but was 40% contained as of Thursday afternoon. No structures are threatened and Route 23 is back open, according to the state Forest Fire Service. Echo Lake Road remains closed, where firefighters are staged to attack the blaze.
A much larger wildfire about 100 miles south in Ocean County is now 100% contained. Authorities say the “Jimmy’s Waterhole fire” burned a little over 3,800 acres of land. New Jersey is in the peak of its traditional wildfire season which runs through May. The risk is increased with temperatures hitting record highs and no rain in the forecast until at least Saturday.
