Want to create interactive content? It’s easy in Genially!
NJ Wildfire Timeline
Dino Russo
Created on January 15, 2025
Start designing with a free template
Discover more than 1500 professional designs like these:
Transcript
in New Jersey
Wildfires
A History of
Back
1963
1906
2023-24
1930
1838
1755
2025
1700
A few of many*
Wildfires
A History of
1906
nj.gov
The New Jersey Forest Fire Service (NJFFS) was established under the NJDEP in 1906. In 1899, Gifford Pinchot brought attention to the need for more fire control for New Jersey's fires. Theophilus Prince would be appointed the first State Forest Firewarden.
1930
Library Company of Philadelphia
The 1930 wildfire in May destroyed the town of Forked River and most notably affected Ocean County. Coverage of the fire was extensively seen in the New Jersey Courier, especially in places like Tuckerton. Acreage estimates range from 60,000 to 200,000.
Press file photo
1963
Known by its ominous name, Black Saturday, the 37 wildfires in April of 1963 caused around 190,000 acres in damage. The fire particularly affected areas like Burlington and Ocean Counties. Egg Harbor Township lost approximately 85% of its wooded area. The hundreds of destroyed buildings amounted to a cost of $8.5 million. The fire would kill 7 people.
All photos are from the New Jersey Forest Fire Service.
The NJFFS responded to 1,400+ reported wildfires in 2024. The biggest of these wildfires was the Jennings Creek wildfire in Passaic County and Orange County, New York, which destroyed over 5,000 acres. The Shotgun Wildfire in Jackson Township was notably caused by arson and burned over 300 acres.
The NJFFS responded to 1,000+ reported wildfires in 2023. 2 major wildfires included the Allen Road wildfire in Bass River, Burlington County, which burned over 5,400 acres; and the Jimmy's Waterhole wildfire in Manchester, Ocean County, which burned upwards of 4,000 acres.