Carlstadt, Kearny & Ridgefield Deal With Brush Fires Burn Along NJ Turnpike
NEWARK, N.J. (CBSNewYork) -- Tuesday's warm and dry conditions were apparently to blame for three brush fires along the New Jersey Turnpike.
The fires burned in Carlstadt, Kearny and Ridgefield, Joe Biermann reported from Chopper 2 HD. All three were along the Turnpike's western spur.
Fire officials said all three fires were out as of early Tuesday evening. However, crews were to remain on the scene through the night in case of any flare-ups.
Carlstadt, Kearny & Ridgefield Deal With Brush Fires Burn Along NJ Turnpike
The Ridgefield fire was centered just south of the Vince Lombardi Service Area, Biermann reported.
Another fire could be seen Tuesday afternoon in the Meadowlands in Carlstadt, just south of Exit 16W on the Turnpike, 1010 WINS' Steve Sandberg reported.
The blaze in Kearny required the help of four departments to put out.
Wildfires can get out of control quickly, and thus, Deputy Fire Chief Bruce Kauffmann said crews rushed to get a jump on the blaze in that town very fast.
Even so, he said, it wasn't easy to contain.
"The actual burn area turned out to be a mile wide by about 500 feet," Kaufmann said.
The terrain, the heat, and the lack of water made the fire difficult to put down, Kauffman said. He added that he was not surprised fire crews were called out to the area, as in such hot, dry weather, such blazes are almost expected.
The smoke was blowing out over the highway and below the flight pattern into Newark Airport, Sandberg reported.
Officials had already expressed concern earlier Tuesday because of the potential for brush fires during spring into summer.
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