Dozens of residents evacuated as rare wildfire in New Jersey damages homes

Anderson said her husband decided to go home from work in case they had to evacuate, but she couldn’t even get to the neighborhood because of the fire, according to NJ.com.

Instead, she told the publication, her husband parked his car in a store and drove home. The couple packed their important documents and pictures in another care to prepare for evacuation.

The cause of the fire is being investigated

The fire was first reported around 1:30 p.m. in Lakewood Township. Powered by strong winds, the flames erupted at Garden State Parkway, New Jersey Forest Fire Service spokeswoman Maris Gabliks said during a news conference Sunday.

Although the source of the fire has been identified, the cause is still being investigated, said an update published in the New Jersey Forest Fire Service. The agency said the cause did not come from a prescribed burn.

Officials said in the update that two mixed-use buildings were destroyed and that some ancillary structures such as sheds were affected in the residential area.

As of Sunday night, the flame had at least 50 percent content, Gabliks told reporters during the press conference.

Firefighters are expected to remain in the area fighting the flames overnight to contain the fire completely.

Large forest fires are rare in New Jersey

The warning and wind warning remain in effect until 5pm and midnight on Monday, respectively.

“Larger forest fires are uncommon or rare for New Zealand,” CNN meteorologist Michael Guy said. A combination of very low humidity and warm temperatures in the area could have contributed to the spread.

“We have extremely strong winds with little humidity that help fire growth, but also hinder the ability of firefighters to contain and control fire,” Gabliks said.