Wildfire in Burlington County grows to 5,000 acres
Smoke from the Mines Sprung Fire, as state officials have named it, had created “hazardous” air quality conditions throughout the Philadelphia region the first half of Saturday, according to AirNow.
A wildfire in Wharton State Forest in Burlington County had grown to 5,000 acres Saturday afternoon and had triggered unsafe air conditions in the Philadelphia area for at least half the day.
No injuries and no structure damage have been reported, but smoke from the fire had created “hazardous” air quality conditions in the Philadelphia region throughout the morning, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s AirNow monitor. People were advised to stay indoors, especially those with respiratory challenges.
By 2 p.m. air quality had improved to the moderate range, according to AirNow, and the New Jersey Forest Fire Service had reported the blaze as 60% contained, up from 40% at 8:30 a.m.
The Mines Spung Fire, as state officials have named it, was first spotted Friday morning by a private aircraft flying over the area in Shamong Township, according to the fire service.
The fire is in the area of the Carranza Memorial and the fire service reported that the Phillip M. Costello Preparatory Academy, an alternative residential school for teen boys and young men, and the Lower Forge Campground were evacuated and five structures remained threatened.
The Batona Trail is closed between Carranza and Bulldozer Roads.
The cause of the fire remains under investigation.