NJFFS SECTION B10 Home Page

Wildland fire suppression for the State of New Jersey covering Middlesex and Monmouth Counties in Central New Jersey

B10’s primary response areas include: East Brunswick Twp, Englishtown, Freehold Borough, Freehold Twp, Helmetta, Jamesburg, Manalapan Twp, Marlboro Twp, Monroe Twp, Old Bridge Twp, Sayreville, South Brunswick Twp, South River, Spotswood and surrounding towns as requested.

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Tuesday, April 29, 2025

Section B10
Current Fire Danger

TODAY IS A CLASS 5 DAY

Buildup Index: 54
KBDI: 101
Temp: 82
Relative Humidity: 26 %
Fine Fuel: 4
Spread: 46
Wind: SSW at 12 mph/G28
Class day updated 04/29/25 at 1415 hrs

NJ FIRE WEATHER FORECAST

NJ FIRE DANGER INFORMATION HUB

NJ PRESCRIBED FIRE DASHBOARD

USFS/Rutgers Fire Danger Monitoring Consoles

NJ FIRE DANGER CONSOLE- SOUTH

NJ FIRE DANGER CONSOLE- NORTH

NJ CAMPFIRE RESTRICTIONS

No campfire restrictions are currently in effect

-SPECIAL NOTICES-
WEATHER ALERTS

Tuesday 04/29/25
NWS SPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENT 5:49 AM
ELEVATED RISK FOR FIRE SPREAD THIS AFTERNOON

ELEVATED RISK FOR FIRE SPREAD THIS AFTERNOON FOR MOST OF NJ...

There is an elevated risk for fire spread this afternoon across most of New Jersey and Delaware. Minimum relative humidity values will drop to between mostly 25 and 35 percent this afternoon, and southwesterly winds will increase to 15 to 20 mph with gusts up to 30 mph. These conditions, along with the continued drying of fine fuels, could support the rapid spread of any fires that ignite, which could quickly become difficult to control. The winds will diminish tonight and the relative humidity will also increase.

Outdoor burning is strongly discouraged. Be sure to properly extinguish or dispose of any potential ignition sources, including smoking materials such as cigarette butts.

This forecast considers meteorological, fuel, and land conditions and has been developed in coordination with state fire officials

Today’s NJ Fire Weather Discussion 10:06 am

For today, while the dew points will be much higher than yesterday, they will remain low enough and when combined with very warm temperatures this afternoon will result in the relative humidity dropping to mostly between 25 and 35 percent across most of New Jersey and Delaware. The relative humidity looks to stay higher in most of eastern Pennsylvania and Marylands Eastern Shore. In addition, south to southwest winds will increase to 15-20 mph with gusts up to 30 mph. The strongest winds may end up being from about I-95 south and east. Based on the latest forecast and earlier coordination with State Fire partners, a Special Weather Statement has been issued for most of New Jersey and all of Delaware to cover the elevated risk of rapid fire spread this afternoon.

For Wednesday, minimum relative humidity will range from around 20 to 30 percent with temperatures mostly in the 70s. Northwest winds 10-15 mph with gusts near 20 mph possible.

For Thursday, minimum relative humidity will range from around 25 to 35 percent with temperatures mostly in the 70s again. Southeast winds near 10 mph with gusts near 15-20 mph possible.

Today’s Fire Weather Highlights
Cloud cover- Mostly clear
Max Temp- 81
Min RH- 28 %
AM Wind- SW 9 G21
PM Wind- SW 15 G26

04/26/25- Some sad news from NJFFS, Division C

After a fierce battle with cancer, Daniel “Danny” Collins, Section C5 District Firewarden, truck operator of C35 and past Fire Chief of Estell Manor Volunteer Fire Company, passed away on April 18th, 2025.

Danny joined New Jersey Forest Fire service as a young man and earned his title as a District Firewarden in 2007. Besides the normal duties of a District Firewarden, Danny was involved with the Out of State Fire Program, he enjoyed playing on the Division C softball team and was a true mentor and leader to all who knew him.

New Jersey Forest Fire Staff and personnel will be meeting on Saturday, May 3rd at 09:30 for a walk through at 10:00 am at St. Maximilian Kolbe Parish (Church of the Resurrection) in Marmora, NJ (200 Tuckahoe Rd. Marmora, NJ 08223).

Please wear your Class A long sleeve uniform with collar brass and tie along with a mourning band on your badge.

US Drought Monitor Map released Thursday 04/24/25

NJFFS FIRE TOWER/AIR BASE STAFFING

Tuesday 04/29/25

Division A, B & C fire towers are STAFFED today

DIV A- Aeroflex Air Attack- NOT STAFFED
DIV B- Miller Air Attack- STAFFED TANKER 81
DIV C- Downstown Air Attack- STAFFED TANKER 61

CURRENT NJ WILDFIRE ACTIVITY

MAJOR WILDFIRE
15,300 acres/75% contained

04/22/25 @ 1010 hrs- Section B5 ‘Jones Road Wildfire’- Ocean Twp/Barnegat Twp line, Ocean County
Air Tanker 81, Air Tanker 61, Delta 5 Huey helicopter and an observation helicopter worked the fire initially. ICP is set up at Wells Mill Park.

At 12 p.m. on Monday, April 28, the New Jersey Forest Fire Service achieved 75% containment of a 15,300-acre wildfire burning in the Ocean County Natural Lands Trust’s Forked River Mountains Wilderness Area.

The fire was initially spotted from the Cedar Bridge Fire Tower at 9:45 a.m. on Tuesday, April 22.

On the evening of April 22 the wildfire crossed the Garden State Parkway, triggering the evacuation of approximately 5,000 residents in Ocean and Lacey townships. Additionally, Route 9 and Route 532 (Wells Mills Road) were closed early on in the firefight.

One commercial building was destroyed in the fire, along with multiple outbuildings and vehicles throughout the fire area. A complete damage assessment is ongoing.

A thorough and extensive investigation conducted by the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Major Crime Unit-Arson Squad, New Jersey Forest Fire Service, Ocean County Fire Marshal’s Office and New Jersey State Fire Marshal’s Office determined the cause of the fire to be incendiary by an improperly extinguished bonfire. A Waretown man was charged with aggravated arson and arson in connection with Jones Road Wildfire.

Forest Fire Service crews will remain on scene for the next several days to continue to improve containment lines and address areas of concern until significant precipitation occurs to ensure public safety.

The Forest Fire Service continues to receive assistance from the New Jersey Army National Guard who provided two UH-60 Black Hawk helicopters which are capable of dropping 660 gallons of water each.

Smoke is expected to remain present until significant rain falls over the fire area. Visitors to the area should exercise caution, as trees within the fire area may be weakened.

This will be the final update for this incident unless significant developments occur.

SIZE & CONTAINMENT- 15,300 acres, 75% contained

STRUCTURES THREATENED- 4 structures threatened, All evacuations lifted

PROPERTY DAMAGE- 1 commercial building destroyed. Multiple outbuildings and vehicles destroyed. A complete damage assessment is underway.

ROADS AFFECTED- Unimproved roadways within the fire perimeter remain closed

RESOURCES DEPLOYED- Forest Fire Service fire engines, bulldozers, helicopters and ground crews

FIRE CAUSE- A Waretown man has been charged with aggravated arson and arson in connection with Jones Road Wildfire. Learn more: https://www.facebook.com/NJForestFireService/posts/pfbid0PKULt9w7YRDjXopauP3qbbnrELitmCyHrnBcsBq6prWgtuHcUDAFyWNqCDZQPGSHl

NEXT UPDATE- Final update for this incident unless significant developments occur.

Updated 04/28 @ 2000 hrs

Please remember, “No Drones in Fire Zones - If YOU fly, WE can't!”

If in doubt about the source of smoke or fire, call 9-1-1 or 877-WARN-DEP (877-927-6337)

Remember, No Drones in Fire Zones -
If YOU fly, WE can't!

There are serious consequences to flying an unauthorized drone near a wildfire.
During a wildfire, our aircraft fly low to the ground, often at the same altitude that a drone would fly. If a drone is detected flying over or near a wildfire, all Forest Fire Service air support will be grounded - hampering suppression and observation efforts.
Please do your part, and prevent interfering with wildfire suppression by
staying grounded.