Crews battle two bushfires in dry conditions

New Jersey firefighters are working to contain several rapidly changing forest fires who forced evacuation and threaten more than 100 structures in several counties.

Fires started historically dry conditionsaffected parts of Evesham, Voorhees and Jackson Township, according to New Jersey Forest fire service employees.

The largest of the fires, dubbed the Bethany Run Wildfire, broke out Thursday morning along the banks of the Bethany Run River. Camden County/Burlington The county line near Evesham has since extended to 200 acres. By Thursday afternoon it had destroyed less than half a square mile and remained uncontrolled, threatening at least 104 structures.

Another fire, the Jackson Township Shotgun Fire, started a day earlier and reached 300 acres by Thursday.

How to fight two fires?

About 12 homes near the Bethany Run wildfire were evacuated, and residents in other areas were warned to prepare.

Jeremy Webber, fire chief of the New Jersey Forest Fire Service, described flame as “high and fast moving”, increasing in gusts of wind, making containment efforts difficult.

Although 75 percent of the fires were contained, the shotgun fire posed a significant risk, with flames reaching 6 to 8 feet in height by the time firefighters arrived. At least six homes in Jackson Township were evacuated.

Fire crews move out helicopterscapable of dumping 350 gallons wateras well as bulldozers, engines and fire suppression techniques.

Backfire: a method that is strategically harmful vegetation ahead in the fire’s path, aims to reduce available fuel and slow the spread of flames. The Bushfire Service installed fire lines to prevent the fire from spreading further into residential areas.

Worst wildfire in New Jersey history

Greg McLaughlin, administrator of the New Jersey Forest Fire Service, said the fire in Jackson Township was “40 percent contained” as of Thursday evening. Residents have already been allowed to return to their homes.

However, officials warned residents in nearby Evesham and Voorhees that “the situation remains unpredictable” as firefighters worked around the clock.

Dry conditions have led to an increase in wildfire incidents in New Jersey, with more than 400 fires reported in October alone, a record, McLaughlin said.

“This is the driest weather in the agency’s history,” Webber said.

The agency was founded in 1906, making these conditions the worst the service has seen in more than a century.

“Dry weather, no relief in sight”

Bill Donnelly, chief of the New Jersey Wildfire Service, warned in a social media post that “when conditions get this dry, the simplest things can start a wildfire.”

Fires are aggravated by a large number of fallen leaves and pine needles on the forest floor, which serve as fuel for the flames.

“In my 30-year career in the Bushfire Service, I cannot remember a time when we have faced such an extended period of dry weather with no apparent relief,” Donnelly said.

In hopes of reducing the frequency of wildfires, New Jersey has imposed strict restrictions on outdoor fires.

“We’re going to need a few inches of rain, not just one or two,” Webber said.

Although a forecast cold front could bring rain over the weekend, New Jersey remains in a high-risk area.

This article includes reporting from The Associated Press.