Berkeley fire reaches full containment, forest fire service reports

Berkeley Fire Reaches Full Containment, Forest Fire Service Reports

Posted by
1 min read
September 11, 2024

BERKELEY TOWNSHIP, N.J. — Fire crews reached full containment of the Fishers Pit Wildfire on Wednesday afternoon after it burned 189 acres in Ocean County, according to the New Jersey Forest Fire Service.

The wildfire, which started on Monday, was first detected by the Cedar Bridge Fire Tower at 4:44 p.m. The fire broke out in an area known as Fisher’s Pit, where early firefighting efforts were hindered by erratic fire behavior, officials said.

Berkeley fire reaches full containment, forest fire service reports
Photo: berkeley fire reaches full containment, forest fire service reports

Containment was achieved by 4:00 p.m. on Wednesday, but light smoke continues to affect nearby communities. Crews are working to secure containment lines and mop up hot spots along the perimeter, according to the fire service.

Investigators determined the fire was caused by an abandoned illegal campfire on Ocean County property. No structures were threatened during the incident.

Firefighters will remain on-site to monitor control lines and ensure public safety until the area receives significant rainfall.

Berkeley fire reaches full containment, forest fire service reports
Photo: berkeley fire reaches full containment, forest fire service reports
Phil Stilton

Phil Stilton is the Editor and Publisher of Shore News Network, an independent digital newsroom providing original reporting on New Jersey, national news, government, public policy, public safety, courts, and community affairs.

As founder of the publication, Stilton leads editorial strategy, investigative reporting, and daily newsroom operations while overseeing coverage that reaches millions of readers annually.

With extensive experience covering municipal government, county government, state legislatures, elections, law enforcement, emergency management, and public records, Stilton specializes in translating complex government actions into clear, factual reporting. His work frequently relies on primary source documents, including court filings, legislation, public meeting records, election finance disclosures, government databases, police reports, and Freedom of Information and Open Public Records Act (OPRA) requests. He has reported extensively on local government accountability, taxpayer spending, campaign finance, public corruption investigations, infrastructure, public safety, and the policies affecting New Jersey residents.

Under Stilton's editorial leadership, Shore News Network has grown into one of New Jersey's largest independent digital news organizations, publishing thousands of original news articles each year while providing breaking news coverage, investigative reporting, and analysis across state and local government. The publication's reporting is routinely sourced from official government agencies, public officials, court records, and firsthand documentation, with a commitment to transparency, attribution, corrections when warranted, and clearly distinguishing factual reporting from opinion.

Stilton's journalism follows established newsroom standards emphasizing accuracy, verification, fairness, and accountability. Every effort is made to verify information through official records and multiple reliable sources before publication. His reporting is intended to provide readers with timely, well-documented information that helps them understand the issues affecting their communities, while maintaining editorial independence from political parties, government agencies, advocacy organizations, and commercial interests.

Readers can submit story tips, corrections, public records, or media inquiries through the official Shore News Network website or its verified social media channels. Shore News Network welcomes corrections and updates when new information becomes available as part of its ongoing commitment to accurate and transparent journalism.

Facebook

Don't Miss