Pine Barrens Tribune April 6-12, 2019

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Vol. 3 – No. 32 ♦

The News Leader of the Pines

April 6, 2019 – April 12, 2019

UPHILL BATTLE

Spring Hill Wildfire, Largest State Forest Fire Since 2007, Consumes Over 11,000 Acres in Penn State Forest and Prompts Voluntary Evacuations in Woodland Township By Douglas D. Melegari Staff Writer

WOODLAND—The Penn State Forest was the site of a major and suspected incendiary forest fire this past weekend that caused a few residents near downtown Chatsworth to voluntarily evacuate from their homes. The blaze, dubbed the “Spring Hill Wildfire” due to its being ignited in the vicinity of Spring Hill Road, near the Washington Township and Woodland Township municipal border, was first spotted at 1:45 p.m. on April 30 by officials manning the Cedar Bridge and Apple Pie Hill fire towers. The blaze, which eventually consumed 11,638 acres before being fully contained on Monday afternoon, did also reached into the periphery of Ocean County, according to Democratic Governor Phil Murphy. A gusty south wind was said to have contributed to a northward “rapid rate of spread” of the fire last Saturday.

INSIDE THIS SPECIAL EDITION ISSUE

See BATTLE / Page 24

Firefighters Deploy ‘Dangerous’ Technique to Stop Forest Fire from Jumping Route 72

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Wildfire Leaves Thousands of Trees Charred and Without Canopies

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Fire Tower at Center of Controversy Reportedly Late In Detecting Blaze

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JBMDL Brush Fire Closes Roads, Creates Smoke in Browns Mills

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Photo By Janine Seeley

A dramatic view of the Spring Hill Wildfire along Route 72 near Coyle Air Field last Saturday.

Officials Suspect Wildfire’s Point of Origin Was Remote Pit Known for Illegal Bonfires Lightning, Controlled Burning and Electricity Ruled Out as Potential Causes of Forest Fire

By Douglas D. Melegari Staff Writer

WOODLAND—Investigators with the New Jersey Forest Fire Service (NJFFS), New Jersey State Police, New Jersey State Park Police, and both the Burlington County and New Jersey Fire Marshals’ offices said Monday that they suspect a one- to one-and-a-half-acre sand pit was the Spring Hill Wildfire’s point of origin. “That is a spot that we frequent on our patrols

and find illegal bonfires,” said New Jersey Forest Fire Service (NJFFS) Section B Forest Firewarden Trevor Raynor, who also served as the incident commander for the Spring Hill Wildfire. “Folks are setting these bonfires without a permit, and not in a designated area.” The fire, which began last Saturday in the remote Penn State Forest, near the Washington Township and Woodland Township municipal border, consumed 11,638 acres before being

fully contained on Monday afternoon. Its rapid spread at one point prompted officials to conduct backfires adjacent to homes in Woodland Township as a precaution, caused some residents to voluntarily evacuate and forced a two-day closure of Route 72. Brian Corvinus, lead arson investigator for the NJFFS, said during a Monday conference call with the press that investigators have concluded that the blaze was incendiary in

nature and “it was started by some humans.” “We have concluded, at this time, this fire was not the result of a prescribed burn whatsoever,” Corvinus said. “We have proof, or documentation and supporting evidence of that. There was no lightning reported in the area. There are no power lines that go to the area of origin.”

IDEAS, INSPIRATION AND SAVINGS FOR YOUR HOME, LAWN AND GARDEN.

See PIT / Page 25

Our special section is filled with tips and ideas to enhance your outdoor living space. You’ll also find focused local advertising and special offers to save you time and money.

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INDEX Health................................ 16 Leo the Lion....................... 24 Senior Column................... 14 Here's My Card.................. 18 Local News.......................... 8 Spring Home Hobbyist............................ 17 Marketplace....................... 21 Lawn & Garden................ S1 Jobs................................... 22 Opinion.............................. 13 Worship Directory..............15

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