A South Jersey wildfire has fanned out to an additional 200 acres as of Saturday afternoon but first responders have made significant headway, state officials announced.
The blaze in the Peaslee Wildlife Management Area in Vineland began Friday and the response extended into Easter weekend.
The wildfire, dubbed “Danny’s Fire,” has now burned at least 1,200 acres — up from 1,000 acres Saturday morning.
In an update at 3:27 p.m., the New Jersey Forest Fire Service said crews have “made substantial progress” and the blaze is now 75% contained. That’s up from 50% earlier in the day.
The cause of the fire is still under investigation, the Forest Fire Service said.
So far, no homes or other buildings are under threat and no evacuations have been ordered.
The wildfire first broke out Friday at about 12:25 p.m. in the Peaslee Wildlife Management Area located in Cumberland County.
Peaslee, at roughly 25,000 acres, is the second largest wildlife management area in New Jersey.
The blaze initially burned 20 acres before spreading to 500 acres Friday evening. It then grew to 800 acres by 10 p.m.
After passing 100 acres, regardless if in a remote area, wildfires are considered “major” incidents.
On Saturday at 10 a.m., the New Jersey Forest Fire Service said it swelled to 1,000 acres.
Sections of Union Road and Bennetts Mill Road — initially closed as firefighters responded to the scene — have since reopened, the state said Saturday afternoon.
Fire engines, bulldozers and ground crews were all on hand to aid in the response.
A helicopter and an air tanker, together capable of dropping about 900 gallons of water, were initially deployed as well.
The state said the next update on the wildfire is expected at around Noon on Sunday.
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Steven Rodas may be reached at srodas@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Bluesky at @stevenrodas.bsky.social.
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