Smoke plume from 1,000-acre wildfire now visible from space

WASHINGTON TWP.  -- A forest fire sparked Thursday afternoon was visible from space Friday morning, as it continued to burn in Burlington County, singeing around 1,000 acres in the Wharton Forest, authorities said.

The fire, burning near historic Batsto Village, was 60 percent contained as of 9:30 a.m., according to Robert Geist, spokesman for the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection.

More than 50 firefighters remained on the scene Friday morning along with state and local police as well as conservation officials. Ten trucks, two bulldozers and a water tender were also on hand, Geist said.

Smoke was visible on satellites Friday morning, making the fire visible from space, Lance Franck, a National Weather Service meteorologist said.

"We can see the smoke plume from the source of the fire moving offshore," he said.

Batsto Village and the visitor center as well as the Mullica River Camp, Lower Forge Camp, Hawkins Bridge Camp and Godfrey Bridge Camp campgrounds were closed due to traveling smoke and ash. All trails were closed as well, and hikers were asked to avoid the area.

Smoke had traveled as far as Long Beach Island as of early Friday, according to the Ocean County Sheriff's Office.

Forecasted temperatures triggered excessive heat warnings throughout the area. The temperature was 87 degrees in Batsto around 10 a.m. Friday, and was expected to rise to a high of 97 degrees, according to the weather service.

"It's hot, which makes fire fighting difficult," Geist said in an earlier statement Friday. "On the plus side, the humidity is hampering the ability of the fire to spread and we don't have a whole lot of wind."

The weather service had issued an air quality alert for counties in south and central parts of the state, noting that the drifting smoke could pose risks to sensitive groups unhealthy for "sensitive groups."

No civilians or properties were facing major threats from the flames, officials said.

Closer to 10 a.m., Geist said officials were "pleased with the progress made the last 12 hours" and "confident in the plan's success."

Police and fire officials recommended that residents do not call 911 unless they see actual flames, noting that wind had carried smoke miles from the fire, but that it did not pose a serious threat to the areas.

Amanda Hoover can be reached at ahoover@njadvancemedia.com. Follow her on Twitter @amahoover. Find NJ.com on Facebook.

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