Wildfire in Rockaway Township has burned more than 170 acres and is 50% contained.

A wildfire in Rockaway Township has grown to more than 170 acres as New Jersey Forest Fire Service officials say it is now 50% contained.

Eight homes were evacuated as flames reached the backyards of homes along Green Pond Road. Officials say 16 buildings are at risk.

As a result of the fire, smoke appeared in the area. The Forest Fire Service says wearing appropriate masks can help.

“I would say it’s a pretty good precaution,” said New Jersey Forest Fire Chief Bill Donnelly. “Wearing a mask won’t hurt. This will help filter out some of the smoke byproducts.”

The mountainous landscape did not make the firefighters’ work easier. There has also been a steady stream of wildfires and wildfires during New Jersey’s 33-day drought.

“They were very busy,” Donnelly said. “The guys are getting tired. This is unfortunate. We brought people from the south. It’s been a really crazy couple of months here.”

Since Sept. 15, the state has documented more than 400 wildfires burning more than 800 acres. Officials say there is only one thing that can stop them.

Officials shared the latest news on fighting the fire

“Sooner or later it’s going to rain,” Donnelly said. “But until then, I don’t see any end.”

While the fire burns, it is constantly being extinguished by two helicopters, each carrying 350 gallons of water. These helicopters collect water from the nearby Green Pond.

The helicopters could be easily seen from the farm owned by Amy Weiss and her husband.

“The helicopters were great. They came here probably 15 times, dumping water all over the area,” Weiss says.

Reporting by News 12’s Chris Keating

She still has two cows left on the farm after 13 horses and several goats were evacuated late last night.

From their back porch, they could see the glow from the fire on the mountainside as they worked to evacuate the animals.

“The trees just grow, you can hear them bursting when the fire is really raging. Everything was just red, all the rocks were red,” Weiss says. “It’s very scary, but we’re trying to remain confident that they’ll take care of it.

About a mile south is the Green Pond neighborhood. People are watching very carefully and understand that the wind can move the flames towards their homes.

Christina Zuidema lives there and paid attention to the direction of the wind.

“I am sure that if the wind does not stop, the situation will worsen. It’s a scary time because it’s very dry and there’s no rain in the forecast,” says Zuidema.

This fire occurred just days after another in Rockaway was extinguished. There was nothing here but sunshine and drought, which worries those whose homes border this forested area.

Police have not disclosed the cause of the fire.