A wildfire in Jackson Township, New Jersey, is now 100 percent contained after burning 82 acres, officials announced Wednesday afternoon.
The fire -- dubbed the Glory Wildfire -- began burning in the area of East Commodore Boulevard and Cedar Swamp Road in Ocean County around 2:30 p.m. Tuesday. As of 10 p.m., the fire was zero percent contained and 50 acres in size, the New Jersey Forest Fire Service said.
Officials also said 30 structures were threatened overnight and residents were being advised to avoid the area and several roads.
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"Forest Fire Service crews utilized a backfiring operation overnight to protect surrounding homes and burn fuel ahead of the main body of fire," the New Jersey Forest Fire Service said Wednesday morning.
By Wednesday morning, 15 structures remained threatened, officials said. However, all roads in the area had reopened.
By 3 p.m. Wednesday, the fire was 100 percent contained after burning 82 acres.
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No injuries and no evacuations were reported.
The fire occurred amid a Red Flag Warning for most of the region and a code orange air quality alert for parts of the region.
The Red Flag Warning was in effect until 8 p.m. Tuesday for New Jersey, Philadelphia, the Pennsylvania suburbs and the Lehigh Valley due to a combination of gusty winds, low relative humidity and dry fuel moistures resulting in critical fire weather conditions.
A code red air quality alert is also in effect for the region. Hazy wildfire smoke over Philadelphia and the surrounding communities is coming from wildfires burning in Quebec, Canada, and leading to decreased air quality in the form of a code red alert for sensitive groups.
"A code red air quality alert means that air pollution concentrations within the region are unhealthful for the general population," the National Weather Service said. "The effects of air pollution can be minimized by avoiding strenuous activity or exercise outdoors."
The Philadelphia Department of Health provided the following recommendations for residents during the alert:
- Avoid going outdoors as much as possible.
- If you must go outside, avoid excessive activity, such as jogging or running, and wear a mask, if available.
- Close all windows and doors to minimize air pollution in your home.
- Recirculate air with fans to avoid bringing more air pollution into your home.
- Avoid areas of high congestion and where air pollution may be high (e.g., main streets or highways, areas with low circulation).
- People with underlying illnesses should monitor for symptoms, including trouble breathing, nausea, and dizziness. If these symptoms occur, seek medical attention as soon as possible.
While the air may be hazardous for all residents it's especially dangerous for sensitive groups, including children, elderly people, pregnant people and those with respiratory diseases or heart conditions.
The Health Department gave the following recommendations for residents to help reduce pollution in the city.
- Avoid unnecessary trips in their cars,
- Avoid idling,
- Carpool when possible, and
- Avoid using gas-powered lawn and garden equipment.
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