Still Cautious After New Jersey Fire

LAWRENCE TOWNSHIP, N.J.: Firefighters are working to make sure a forest fire that broke out nearly a week ago does not flare up again, but thick smoke from the blaze continues to plague residents of a rural area of Cumberland County about 10 miles south of Bridgeton. Nearly 100 acres of woodland were consumed by the fire that broke out last Friday. Four homes were spared from the blaze as firefighters lit a backfire to burn off wooded areas that surrounded them.

By Saturday, the blaze was declared under control, but it has continued to smolder.

John Terenyi and other residents of the Cedarville section fear the thick smoke is becoming a health hazard.

"Our eyes are watery, our throats are scratchy," Terenyi told The Press of Atlantic City for Thursday's editions.

Glenn Liepe, forest fire warden for the state Forest Fire Service, said his crews have been putting water on the area every day.

But the dry fall weather has been stretching his resources to the limit, with fires springing up throughout his district, which includes the six southern counties, he said. Rainfall in southern New Jersey is about 4 inches below normal since Sept. 1.

"Every piece of apparatus and equipment we have is out there. Our guys are exhausted," Liepe said.

Lingering smoke from another Salem County fire forced the closing of the Pennsville schools on Tuesday and Wednesday. They were scheduled to reopen at midday Thursday.

Even though the flames have been extinguished above ground, these types of fires can continue to burn for extended periods beneath the surface, Liepe explained.

"All these fires will not go out until it rains. Due to the dry conditions, some of the fires are burning two feet into the dirt. In some locations, the root system has been burned off the trees, and it's difficult to get in there. The trees have fallen, and it can be dangerous," he said.

"We're doing the best we can, but when the dampness comes in it locks the smoke on the ground. It doesn't have anywhere to go," he said.

(Copyright 2001 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)

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Author: 6 - ABC, Action News