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.

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

 

USFS/Rutgers Fire Danger Monitoring Consoles

 

NJ CAMPFIRE RESTRICTIONS

No campfire restrictions are currently in effect

 

-SPECIAL NOTICES-
WEATHER ALERTS

 

Tuesday’s NJ Fire Weather Discussion 4:06 pm

For this afternoon, very warm temperatures will continue to support relative humidity mostly between 25-35% 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 remain near 10-20 mph with gusts up to 30 mph. Based on the latest forecast and earlier coordination with State Fire partners, a Special Weather Statement was 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 20-30% with temperatures mostly in the 70s to low 80s. Relative humidity could locally drop as low as 15% near the Pine Barrens and Philly metro area. Northwest winds 10-15 mph with gusts up to 20-25 mph possible at times.

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

 

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)

 

 
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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.

 

WILDFIRE NEWS

April 29, 2025

04/29/25 New Jersey- Dry, windy conditions complicate NJ wildfires

 

04/29/25 North Carolina- Wildfire in Croatan National Forest spreads to 850 acres

 

04/29/25 Pennsylvania- Firefighters continue battling major wildfires in central PA

 

04/29/25 Arizona- Cochise County wildfire grows, air resources grounded by strong winds

 


REGIONAL NEWS/FIRES/INCIDENTS

 

04/29/25- New Jersey wildfire arson suspect to appear in court today 04/29

04/29/25 Morris County, NJ- House explosion in New Jersey injures 2 firefighters 04/28

04/29/25 Camden County, NJ- Mulch yard fire continues to burn in Atco

 

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RANDOM SHOTS FROM AROUND THE REGION

04/29/25 Section B5- The ‘Jones Road Wildfire’ on day 7; NJFFS crews continue mop-up operations along the Garden State Parkway and off of RT 9 in Lacey Twp on 04/28/25

 

04/29/25 Section B10- Crews contained a 10 acre fire with a burn-out operation along the Laurence Harbor beachfront in Old Bridge Twp on 04/27/25

 

04/29/25 Section B10- Crews contained a 10 acre fire with a burn-out operation along the Laurence Harbor beachfront in Old Bridge Twp on 04/27/25

 
 
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Don’t forget to visit our B10 Facebook page and the NJFFS Section B10 YouTube channel!

Links of interest:
Wildfire Today Wildfire news & opinion
Random Ramblings Aerial wildland firefighting

 

NJDEP | NJ Forest Fire Service - Single engine air tankers

 

B10 FEATURED VIDEO

04/29/25 Cumberland County, PA- Michaux State Forest wildfire 04/24/25

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