A forest fire ignited swiftly on Tuesday at a significant military gunnery range in southern New Jersey, known as the Warren Grove Air to Ground Range in Ocean County. Thankfully, there have been no reports of injuries or property damage resulting from the fire. The New Jersey Forest Fire Service was called to the scene around 2:15 p.m., as crews worked to tackle the blaze that had already consumed around 150 acres by late afternoon.
The range, spanning 9,400 acres and 60 miles of airspace, is utilized by the New Jersey National Guard for a variety of military training activities, such as weapons delivery practice for aircraft teams, laser training, and gunnery drills. Located approximately 34 miles south of Joint Base Maguire-Dix, this remote range is shrouded by thick forests, making access challenging for emergency crews.
In the past, the Warren Grove Air to Ground Range was the site of a significant fire in 2007, damaging 17,000 acres and resulting in the evacuation of numerous residents. The 2007 fire was sparked by a pilot’s flare dropped during a training exercise, destroying four homes and impacting about 50 others. It remains unclear if Tuesday’s forest fire is connected to any ongoing military testing activities at the range. Efforts to contain and prevent the fire from spreading are currently underway.
