A large brush fire affected the former Sunoco refinery area in West Deptford
Gloucester County emergency managers described the fire as "extremely large," with smoke plumes and ash spreading as far as Glassboro and Washington Township.
A large brush fire affected the area of the former Sunoco refinery in West Deptford, Gloucester County, now a fuel storage facility owned by Energy Transfer.
Smoke plumes and ash spread as far south as Glassboro and Washington Township, according to a post on the Gloucester County Emergency Management Facebook page. Smoke could be seen from Center City Philadelphia, as well.
“A vast number of resources throughout Gloucester County are on the scene or responding fighting the fire and protecting structures,” the county post said.
The fire covered 160 acres and was 100% contained at 6 p.m., the fire service said. At its peak, it threatened 100 structures, prompted voluntary evacuations, and closed Red Bank Avenue from Hessian Avenue to the Delaware River.
The response included multiple fire boats from both the New Jersey and Philadelphia sides of the Delaware River. The New Jersey Forest Fire Service established a unified command of the response along with the West Deptford Fire Department, the fire service said in a social media post.
The fire service deployed a plane capable of dropping 600 gallons.
Emergency management officials cautioned that conditions were subject to change or could worsen due to the high winds or the fire conditions.
The cause of the fire was under investigation, the fire service said.
Those with health or breathing problems were urged to stay indoors and shut windows if sensitive to smoke, emergency managers said.
New Jersey state officials recently said that despite the fire season getting off to a mild start, they were anticipating an active year for fires.
» READ MORE: With no rain in the forecast, N.J. officials are wary of wildfires as the season hits its peak
The local fire season’s peak is mid-March to mid-May, with the season’s length growing in recent years. The spring is a prime time for fires because there are few leaves with moisture to slow fires, at a time when low humidity, dry air masses, and gusty winds can occur. Portions of Burlington, Camden, and Gloucester Counties were in a moderate drought through Tuesday, according to the U.S. Drought Monitor map.
