Pinelands fire has grown to 4,000 acres, but is now 65% contained, authorities say

A New Jersey wildfire that broke out Friday morning in the Pinelands, resulting in the closure of a popular campground, had spread to 4,000 acres by Saturday, authorities said.

The spread to 2,800 additional acres since Friday night occurred despite overnight crews working to contain the fire, the New Jersey Forest Fire Service said. Firefighters have made progress, reporting 65% containment as of 8:30 p.m. Saturday.

The fire, in Wharton State Forest in Burlington County, started at a heavily used Pinelands recreation area. The blaze grew to 1,200 acres Friday, impacting the area around Apple Pie Hill and Batona Campground.

A hunting club and home that were initially threatened on Friday were no longer considered in harm’s way, the fire service said Saturday.

The Batona Campground in Tabernacle Township will remain closed due to the fire, named the Tea Time Hill Wildfire after a feature on the hiking route from the Carranza Memorial in Tabernacle to Apple Pie Hill, the fire service said. Officials also closed part of the 53-mile-long Batona Trail between Route 532 and Carranza Road, as well as the Tulpehocken Trail from Apple Pie Hill to Hawkins Bridge.

Firefighters have been setting “backfires,” which burn downed wood to slow or redirect the fire’s path. A helicopter was also deployed for an overview of the blaze.

Wildfires are a natural element of the Pinelands ecosystem, which has experienced little rain and “extremely dry” conditions in the last three months, according to the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection.

The fire service said it would provide another update about 8 p.m. Saturday.