New Jersey wildfire burns over 4,000 acres in Wharton State Forest

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Emergency officials in New Jersey confirmed that firefighters have contained 40% of the state’s wildfire in the Wharton State Forest on Saturday.

The Mines Spung Wildfire, first reported by a private pilot on June 13, has burned approximately 4,200 acres, according to the New Jersey Forest Fire Service.

Firefighters were “making progress” in containing the blaze in Shamong Township, New Jersey, deploying fire engines, helicopters, bulldozers and ground, according to the state service. The cause of the fire, which has threatened five structures, is under investigation.

“The fire has got some serious burning going on right now and with that, we’re having a hard time to control it,” the state fire service’s Chief Bill Donnelly told reporters during a press conference.

The smell of smoke was reported in New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and Delaware Friday evening, going into the weekend, according to CBS station KYW-TV.

Evacuations prompted

The blaze prompted several evacuations, including Shamong’s Costello Preparatory Academy, a state-run community home for males with a history of substance abuse.

Authorities also evacuated the Lower Forge campground in Washington Township, closed roads in Shamong and closed the part of South Jersey’s Batona Trail to hikers.

The service is expected to provide another update Saturday at around 2:30 p.m. local time.

Wildfire burns near monument honoring Mexican aviator

The Mines Spung Wildfire was burning near the Carranza Memorial in Tabernacle, New Jersey.

The 12-foot stone monument honors Emilio Carranza Rodriguez, a Mexican aviator who died in a crash at the Pinelands site in 1928, the New Jersey State Park Service website states. The acclaimed captain from Coahuila, Mexico, became widely known in the summer of 1928 after an emergency landing in New Jersey during a flight from Mexico City to Washington, D.C.

He later died during a thunderstorm while flying from New York City to Mexico, according to the New Jersey State Park Service. The site of the fatal crash is where the Carranza Memorial stands.

Jim Walsh is a senior reporter for the Courier-Post, Burlington County Times and The Daily Journal. His email is Jwalsh@cpsj.com.

Anthony Robledo is a national trending reporter for USA TODAY. He can be reached arobledo@usatoday.com.

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