NJ wildfire burns near 2 schools in Ocean County

BERKELEY — A wildfire described as "erratic" that started Monday afternoon continues to burn near two schools and the Garden State Parkway in Ocean County.

The Fishers Pit Wildfire off Northern Boulevard in Berkeley is located near the Garden State Parkway and Central Regional Middle and High schools. It is also not far from Double Trouble State Park.

Firefighters had difficulty getting a handle on the fire early because of its “erratic behavior,” according to the state Forest Fire Service.

No roads are closed and no structures are threatened but residents in nearby Bayville can smell the fire which they describe as burning wood.

Winds out of the northwest could potentially blow smoke over Lacey Township, Lanoka Harbor, Forked River, and the Barnegat Bay, according to Meteorologist Dan Zarrow.

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How many acres burned?

The fire was 0% contained as of the last update issued at 10 p.m. Monday night with an unknown number of acres burned. Law enforcement sources told New Jersey 101.5 that 150 acres were burned as of Tuesday morning.

No significant rain is affected that could help fire fighting, according to Zarrow. The U.S. Drought Monitor says that area of the state is considered to be "abnormally dry."

An ongoing investigation is underway to determine what started the fire.