BERKELEY TOWNSHIP, N.J. — A wildfire burning in the Fishers Pit area of Berkeley Township has scorched 150 acres, with the New Jersey Forest Fire Service reporting 20% containment as of Tuesday morning. The fire, first detected late Monday afternoon, continues to produce smoke, though no structures are currently threatened.
Local authorities are urging residents not to call 9-1-1 unless there is a separate emergency. “We are aware of the smoke conditions throughout town,” the Berkeley Township Police Department stated on social media Tuesday morning. Callers have been reporting the fire consistently since it began last night.
While that level of diligence is appreciated, officials ask that unless there is an emergency, please do not call 911 during the fire.
Firefighters worked overnight to strengthen containment lines using backfire and burnout operations, though initial efforts were hampered by erratic fire behavior. Crews are focusing on reinforcing these lines and eliminating unburned vegetation within the fire’s perimeter.
No road closures have been reported, and the cause of the fire remains under investigation. The next update is expected at 2:30 p.m. Tuesday.