Hopewell Township fire companies publicly thanked volunteer firefighters and mutual aid fire companies as far away as Ewing and Lawrence Township for helping them extinguish Sunday’s brush fire. But they’re also warning residents to stay alert for the possibility of more, as New Jersey’s dangerous drought conditions persist.
Sunday’s blaze in a wooded area near I-295, between Pennington Rd and Reed Rd, was reported to 911 by passing motorists and an aircraft pilot. Fire crews from companies 51, 52, 53, and 33 created an access road to reach and extinguish the flames, before handing the scene over to the State Forest Fire service. A Pennington Fire Company Facebook post on Monday stated “Thanks are extended to the quick work of our Hopewell Township volunteer firefighters along with mutual aid companies.”
EXTREME FIRE DANGER WARNING
However, the post went on to warn residents that this kind of fire danger remains a threat. That’s because the State Forest Fire service has issued an ‘Extreme’ warning regarding such fires, related to New Jersey’s drought conditions. The dry spell has now lasted about a month and effects 11 counties.
SECOND BRUSH FIRE IN A WEEK
Sunday’s brush fire was the Township’s second following one fire companies contained on October 26 near Station 53, according to the Pennington Fire Company. Elsewhere in New Jersey, with no significant rainfall forecast and drought-related water restrictions in place, similar fires have taken days to contain. “Fire is the primary danger right now,” New Jersey State Climatologist David Robinson said in a New Jersey Spotlight News video last week. “We’ve seen them in North Jersey, South Jersey. We’ve seen them in grasses and in forests. We’re only adding fuel to the mixture now as the leaves fall and grasses dry out.”
For related fire safety information, review Mercerme’s article on Stage 3 Fire restrictions, which reveal that wind gusts, warm temperatures and very low humidity also contribute to the danger.
