Roads are closed around the Black Run Preserve in Evesham Township, New Jersey, as a wildfire rages Thursday morning.
The fire, called the Bethany Run Wildfire, is about 30 acres and was 0% contained as of noon Thursday. The fire also affects Voorhees Township in Camden County.
The New Jersey Forest Fire Service says 97 structures are threatened by the blaze and 10 have been evacuated. Fire trucks, bulldozers and ground crews are on site, along with a helicopter that can drop up to 350 liters of water.
Footage from Chopper 3 showed smoke rising from the reserve – a wooded area with several hiking trails. Flames were visible on the ground.
Evesham Township police said the investigation is taking place in the area of Kettle Run Road and Sycamore Avenue.
Kettle Run Road is closed between Braddock Mill Road and Sycamore Avenue.
CBS News Philadelphia
The cause of the fire is still under investigation. It happened on another day of “extreme” fire danger in the state, such as the region is enduring drought after a record period without rain.
Normally, leaves fall from trees and onto slightly moist or moist soil during the fall, NJFFS officials said at a news conference Thursday. But due to the lack of precipitation since August, the dead leaves and needles are very sensitive to any source of ignition.
Chopper 3/CBS News Philadelphia
Officials urged caution around anything that could cause a fire, whether it’s a cigarette butt, faulty yard equipment that can cause sparks (such as a lawn mower) or a faulty catalytic converter. Dumping ash from a campfire can also start a fire.
NJFFS already responded to an active wildfire in Jackson Township, New Jersey, which is called the Shotgun Wildfire.
