A wind-driven wildfire scorched more than 75 acres and threatened over 30 structures Saturday in Hopewell Township after a reported downed live electrical wire ignited flames near Poor Farm Road.
The fire, which ignited late Saturday afternoon, spread rapidly through fields, brush, and woodlands on Pennington Mountain, also known locally as Trap Rock Mountain. Firefighters battled the blaze well into the night before bringing it under control.
Flames came dangerously close to structures along Woosamonsa Road, but none were damaged, officials said. More than 100 firefighters from Hopewell Valley fire companies, as well as units from Mercer, Bucks, Middlesex, and Somerset counties, joined forces with the New Jersey Forest Service to contain the fire.
A command post was established at the Pennington Firehouse, where firefighters were organized into task forces. The Pennington Fire Company Ladies Auxiliary provided food and water to responders.
Fire crews remain on the scene today to extinguish hot spots.
