Brush Fire Burns in Southern Ocean County Forest

BARNEGAT — A brush fire in Ocean County has closed down Route 539.

The fire in the Greenwood Forest Wildlife Management Area along Route 539 through Manchester, Whiting and Barnegat was first spotted around 10 a.m. on Sunday by the Cedar Bridge fire tower,  according to Department of Environmental Protection spokesman Bob Considine,

"The fire is currently burning in pine and scrub oak forest and being pushed by west -northwest winds. If the fire remains within the expected target containment area, it will reach approximately 570 acres," Considine said. Crews continued direct initial attack and backfire operations on Sunday afternoon.

Route 539 was closed between Route 72 and Pasadena Road, according to Ocean County Sheriff Mike Mastronardi.

Considine said 30 State Forest Fire Service personnel were deployed using 12 brush trucks, one water tender, one tractor and plow and a helicopter for observation. No property was damaged or structures threatened, according to Considine.

Considine said there was a controlled burn inside the Greenwood forest on Saturday but it was not in the same area as Sunday's fire.

The fire remains under investigation.