Forest fire officials: Brush fire threatens 30 homes in Rockaway Township

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A brush fire in Morris County has now burned for two consecutive days, threatening 30 homes in the area. A total of 77 acres were already scorched in Rockaway Township. First responders leading containment efforts said it was 30% contained on Saturday night and 70% contained as of Sunday night. They expect it to take an additional three to five days to completely contain the fire. They said dry conditions contributed to the fire. "We are in one of the longest stretches of dry conditions for this time of year since 1863, so we are seeing unprecedented fuel conditions on the forest floor," said Chris Franek, New Jersey Forest Fire Service. "We're actually upping our campfire restrictions and burn bans tomorrow." The glow of the fire lit up the night sky as crews worked as quickly and tactfully as they could. First responders said they used hand lines, bulldozers and laid hoses around the edges to cool off hot spots near houses. Jacobs Road remained closed as of Sunday night. "You can smell it, and it was frightening," said nearby resident, Margie Dubanowich. "We went up there, me and the dog. Lots of neighbors were out looking and concerned. But then the firemen came and they seemed to take good care of it." According to Morris County Office of Emergency Director Jeffrey Paul, a drone was used to get a look from above while the containment efforts got underway. It helped crews assess where the hot spots were and create the best plan of action. "We did have a lot of residents that were concerned. And I just want to say, from the efforts of the local municipality, specifically Rockaway Fire and police, they’ve done a good job," Paul said. He also commended the New Jersey Forest Fire Service for taking the lead with tactical efforts and planning. Crews will continue their efforts overnight and appreciate support from surrounding neighbors. "Just be mindful of the emergency responders out there working on the road," Franek said. "If you see any smoke that seems to flare up by your house, if you feel uncomfortable, just call 911 or flag down one of our fire apparatuses." The cause of the fire was not immediately clear as of Sunday night. The investigation typically takes anywhere from seven to 10 days. "