New Jersey wildfire at Warren Grove consumes 1,100 acres

BASS RIVER - A wildfire that erupted Tuesday at the Warren Grove Range of the New Jersey Air National Guard scorched 1,167 acres by Wednesday morning, according the state Forest Fire Service.

State firefighters and members of the Air National Guard were working to contain the fire on Wednesday, which was burning in an area of Bass River Township south of Route 72 and west of Route 539.

About half an inch of rain fell overnight with passing storms, which helped to slow the fire, according to the Forest Fire Service.

By Wednesday morning, the fire was about 80% contained, authorities said.

The fire was burning in a remote area of the forest and no structures were threatened, firefighters said.

Humid conditions, still air and overnight rain led to low risk for wildfire on Wednesday morning, according to the "NJ Fire Danger Monitoring Console" operated by Rutgers University and the U.S. Forest Service.

The range is used for a variety of military exercises, including weapons delivery practice for aircraft teams, laser training, and gunnery and munitions drills, according to the Air National Guard.

While flares and tracers are used at the range, only non-explosive, "inert" munitions are used in drills, according to the agency.

The Warren Grove Range is the site of a 2007 historic wildfire that burned 17,000 across southern Ocean County and led to the evacuation of thousands of residents. That fire destroyed four homes and damaged about 50 others.

Amanda Oglesby is an Ocean County native who covers education and the environment. She has worked for the Press for more than 15 years. Reach her at @OglesbyAPP, aoglesby@gannettnj.com or 732-557-5701.