JACKSON TOWNSHIP, N.J. — A recent forest fire in Jackson Township, New Jersey, led to the evacuation of over a dozen homes on Wednesday as firefighting teams strove to control the situation. Fortunately, there have been no reports of injuries or damage to properties.

The New Jersey Forest Fire Service indicated that the fire is anticipated to be contained when it spans approximately 300 acres (121 hectares), but the timeframe for containment remains uncertain. Firefighters are implementing a backfire technique, which involves igniting controlled burns in areas ahead of the main fire to help halt its spread.

As of now, the reason behind the fire’s ignition has yet to be determined.

According to the forest fire service, 25 homes located on South Stump Tavern Road are currently at risk from the blaze, with 15 residences, primarily single-family homes, evacuated by early Wednesday afternoon. Additionally, certain roads in the vicinity have been closed to ensure safety.

The dry conditions prevalent in New Jersey have contributed to an uptick in wildfires throughout recent weeks. The state has experienced a lack of significant rainfall for over a month, and forecasts predict that these dry conditions are likely to persist for several more days.