Wildfire in New Jersey, June 2 to 6, 2002

A rapidly moving wildfire aided by strong gusty northwest winds burned about 1,300 acres of forest, destroyed or damaged about 30 permanent structures and caused a major traffic disruption for a Sunday (the 2nd) as the Garden State Parkway was closed for 12 hours. It was the first time in 17 years that a wildfire destroyed a year-round home. Four firefighters were injured fighting the blaze. The fire was spotted about 1 p.m. EDT on the 2nd. Gusty northwest winds of between 30 and 40 mph as well as very low relative humidity levels (around 20 percent) helped spread the fire quickly. The fire began near Jake's Branch (a tributary of the Toms River) just southeast of County Route 530 in Berkeley Township. An illegal campfire (no permits were issued) was lit the night before as part of a birthday celebration. Three suspects allegedly left the scene without extinguishing the fire during the late morning of the 2nd. The warm, windy dry conditions helped spread the fire quickly. It was also a crown fire, jumping from tree to tree. In the space of about 30 minutes from when it was spotted, the fire jumped across the Garden State Parkway and threatened homes in the Pinewald section of Berkeley Township. Shortly after 2 p.m. EDT, the fire had made its farthest southeastward advancement into Beachwood Borough and Berkeley Township. At the height of the fire, about 500 homes in the Bayville Section of Berkeley Township were evacuated. Shelters were established at nearby schools and firehouses. About 170 residents of the Crystal Lake Healthcare and Rehabilitation Center were evacuated. In Beachwood Borough, about 5 to 6 families along Pinewald Road were also evacuated. About 350 firefighters battled the blaze. Dense smoke covered the Garden State Parkway and caused its closure at 130 p.m. EDT. The Parkway was closed from exit 58 in Little Egg Township to exit 82 in Toms River. This wreaked havoc for vacationers returning home after a warm weather weekend. Thousands of motorists were delayed and the gridlock spilled over to other roadways including U.S. Route 9 and the Atlantic City Expressway.By nightfall, all but 70 families were permitted to return to their homes and all except three were permitted to return on the 3rd. The fire was considered contained as of 4 p.m. EDT on the 3rd. The Garden State Parkway was reopened at 130 a.m. EDT on the 3rd. The worst property damage occurred on Grand Central Parkway in Berkeley Township. One house was burned to its foundation, two others were severely damaged and rendered unlivable. The fire also charred the exterior of eleven other homes, destroyed four motor vehicles, one motorcycle, one boat, five fences and left 18 other sheds, garages and outbuildings in ruins. In Beachwood Borough, the siding of one house melted and one shed was destroyed. Borough Hall was closed until Friday the 7th because of smoke conditions. Radio equipment and 100 bicycles were destroyed. Officials believed up to 200 homes could have been destroyed by the fire if not for the efforts of the firefighters. Classes were cancelled on the 3rd at Berkeley Township's Central Region High School. All roads were reopened as of the 5th. While the fire was contained on the 3rd, it was not declared officially out until the heavy rain on the 6th. Two-thirds of all the trees within Jake's Branch County Park burned.