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U.S. NEWS Tuesday 25 February 2020

Forest fire near I-80, Appalachian Trail mostly contained

HARDWICK TOWNSHIP, N.J. the New Jersey Forest Fires A helicopter dropped wa- ged," Weber said. "It's prob- Pictures and video shared
(AP) — A forest fire burn- Service, said no injuries ter on the fire Sunday, offi- ably the steepest terrain in Sunday on social media
ing through a popular hik- have been reported. showed a wall of flames
ing area that is crossed by A cause for the fire had not not far from Interstate 80,
the Appalachian Trail and been determined, officials which carries traffic to and
a major interstate highway said. from New York City and
was about 80% contained Chris Franek, the state for- goes through the water
by Monday afternoon, New est fire service's assistant di- gap. It was backed up in
Jersey fire officials said. vision fire warden, said fires both directions.
The fire began Sunday af- on similar terrain usually Some delays were report-
ternoon on Mount Tamma- burn upward but that Sun- ed during the Monday
ny, a steep, rugged area of day's fire, which started be- morning commute, but of-
New Jersey's Worthington low a trail at an elevation ficials said the highway was
State Forest and the Dela- of about 1,400 feet burned open in both directions.
ware Water Gap National downhill because the trail They warned, though, that
Recreation Area on the area is rocky and without smoky conditions would
New Jersey-Pennsylvania abundant vegetation. He likely remain until at least
border. Fire officials said said fires are rare there at Tuesday and flames would
about 80 acres (30 hect- this time of year because also be visible.
ares) had burned by Mon- the area usually has a layer A fire burns on Mount Tammany in the Delaware Water Gap The fire broke out on a sun-
day. of snow. National Recreation Area in Hardwick Township, N.J., Sunday, ny February day that saw
A helicopter and 40 fire- Incident Commander Eric Feb. 23, 2020. unusually mild. The Appala-
fighters were working to Weber told WFMZ-TV the Associated Press chian Trail crosses through
put the fire out Monday, of- ground crews operating at the recreation area, but
ficials said. night had to contend with cials said. the entire state of New Jer- remained open Monday
Greg McLaughlin, chief of difficult terrain. "It's pretty steep and rug- sey." afternoon.q