Early morning fires in the Pine Barrens of Burlington County demonstrate the increased threat of wildfires today's summer-like weather brings to all of New Jersey.

Smoke from a brush fire along Route 70 in Pemberton
Smoke from a brush fire along Route 70 in Pemberton (Pemberton Volunteer Fire Company)
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The National Weather Service has issued a Red Flag Warning for the entire state between 1 p.m. and 8 p.m. Low humidity, temperatures in the 80s and southwest winds between 10 and 15 mph ,gusting to 25 mph, will help fuel a fire.  "Please use extreme caution today," suggests meteorologist Dan Zarrow. Any wildfire will spread rapidly and be difficult to extinguish.

Eight fires, some suspicious, broke out Monday morning  along Route 70 in the area around Route 530 in Pemberton, according to the Township Volunteer Fire Department. The fires ranged from only a few feet across to between five and eight acres. 2 of those fires continued to burn on Monday afternoon.

Air tankers from the New Jersey Forest Fire Service were used to drop water on the the flames. The New Jersey Forest Fire Service, Burlington County Fire Marshall's Office and Pemberton Township Fire Department Chief's Office are involved in the investigation.

Monday's fire danger is high, according to the fire service, but no campfire restrictions are in place.

New Jersey Forest Fire Service planes at Robert J. Miller Air Park in Berkeley Township prepare to fly over fires in Pemberton
New Jersey Forest Fire Service planes at Robert J. Miller Air Park in Berkeley Township prepare to fly over fires in Pemberton (NJFFS)
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A brush fire on the firing range at the Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst on Sunday was one of several fires that have sparked up in the past few days in Ocean County. One developed in Barnegat on Friday and another Saturday afternoon in Jackson. Both were put out quickly.

The New Jersey Forest Fire Service urges you not to toss lit cigarettes out the window while driving. If you've made a campfire, make sure it is completely out by drowning the fire with water and making sure all embers, coals, and sticks are wet. Move rocks around, as there may be burning embers underneath.

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