Officials: Wildfire in Rockaway Township impacts over 170 acres, 50% contained
Eight homes have been evacuated as flames have now reached the backyards of properties along Green Pond Road. Officials say that 13 homes are in danger.
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A wildfire in Rockaway Township has grown to over 170 acres as members of the New Jersey Forest Fire Service now have it contained at 50%, according to officials.
Eight homes have been evacuated as flames have now reached the backyards of properties along Green Pond Road. Officials say that 16 buildings are in danger.
The fire has caused smoky conditions in the area. The Forest Fire Service says wearing proper masks can help.
“I would say it's a pretty good precaution," said New Jersey Forest Fire Service Chief Bill Donnelly. "It doesn't hurt to have a mask on. It'll help filter some of the byproducts of the smoke.”
The mountainous landscape hasn’t made things easy for fire crews. Neither has the nonstop volume of brush and wildfire calls during New Jersey’s 33-day drought.
RELATED: Weeks without rain in New Jersey causing wildfires to be more dangerous, fire experts say
“They've been extremely busy," Donnelly said. "Guys are getting tired. It's unfortunate. We brought folks in from down south. It's just been a really crazy couple months here.”
The state has documented more than 400 wildfires scorching over 800 acres since Sept. 15. Officials say there is only one thing that will stop them.
Officials give latest update on firefighting efforts
“Sooner or later, it will rain," Donnelly said. "But up until that time, I don't see any end in sight.”
As the fire burns, it is continuously being doused by two helicopters, each carrying 350 gallons of water. Those helicopters are picking up water from nearby Green Pond.
The helicopters could easily be seen from the farm belonging to Amy Weiss and her husband.
“The helicopters have been great. They’ve come through probably 15 times dumping water throughout the whole area,” Weiss says.
News 12's Chris Keating reports
She still has two cows left on the farm after evacuating 13 horses and a few goats late last night.
From their back porch, they were able to see the mountainside glow from the fire as they worked to evacuate those animals.
“Just trees going up, you can hear them bursting when the fire was really raging. Just all red, the entire cliffs were red,” says Weiss. “It’s very scary but we’re trying to remain positive that they’re gonna get it taken care of.
About a mile to the south is the Green Pond neighborhood. People have been watching what's happening very closely and are aware the wind could shift flames in the direction of their homes.
Christine Zuidema lives there and was paying attention to the wind direction.
“I’m sure if the wind doesn’t stop it’s going to get worse. It’s a scary time because it’s so dry and there’s no rain in the forecast,” Zuidema says.
This fire is taking place only a few days after another in Rockaway was put out. It’s been nothing but sunshine and dry conditions, which worries those whose homes border this forestland.
Police have not revealed the cause of the fire.
