Warren Grove fire: Wildfire burns 600 acres at Warren Grove Range

STAFFORD ― A wildfire that erupted at the Warren Grove Range of the Air National Guard on Tuesday has burned 600 acres and was 50% contained as of 9 p.m., according the New Jersey Forest Fire Service.

State forest fire officials urged people to be aware of range wildfire, which is west of Route 539 and south of Route 72.

The "Whip-poor-will" fire was first reported Tuesday afternoon, although emergency crews were burning brush ahead of the blaze to prevent its spread, according to the fire service.

Roads near the area remained open. No structures were threatened, according to the Forest Fire Service.

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.

Temperatures in the upper 90s across southern New Jersey on Tuesday led to especially dry brush and forest conditions, according to a "Fire Danger Monitoring Console" operated by Rutgers University and the U.S. Forest Service.

Gusty conditions and low humidity in some parts of southern New Jersey also contributed to elevated wildfire risk through the afternoon, including in Berkeley Township, Oswego Lake in Penn State Forest, and the Silas Little Experimental Field Station in the Pine Barrens, according to the console.

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The range is used for a variety of military exercises, including weapons delivery practice for helicopter and other 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.

This is a developing story. Check back for updates.

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.

This article originally appeared on Asbury Park Press: Wildfire reported at Warren Grove Range