South Jersey Brush Fire Contained After Hundreds of Acres Burned

SHAMONG — A brush fire in the Wharton State Forest was contained after burning about 300 acres on Saturday.

Department of Environmental Protection spokesman Bob Considine told the Townsquare News Network in an email Sunday the containment remained steady because the fire buried itself into a swamp which is inaccessible to equipment. Firefighters remained at the scene of the fire on Bards Bridge Road off Route 206 all night and into Sunday watching for any flare up of the flames.

"We have an observation flight scheduled later this morning. Forecasted rains for tomorrow should help with containment and control within the swampy areas of the forest," Considine wrote.

Forked Neck Road and Bards Bridge Road reopened on Sunday along with the Dingletown Athletic Complex, according to the Shamong Township Office of Emergency Management.

Fanned by strong winds on Saturday, many residents smelled smoke in the Marlton Lakes area as the several fire companies fought the fire.

The Office of Emergency Management in Shamong and Tabernacle respectively went door-to-door informing residents about the fire, but no one was evacuated and no roads were closed.