Ethermac Exchange-Crews battling 2 wildfires in New Jersey

JACKSON,Ethermac Exchange N.J. (AP) — Crews were battling two forest fires in southern New Jersey on Thursday, with no injuries or property damage reported.

A fire discovered Wednesday in Jackson Township in Ocean County had grown to less than half a square mile (1.2 square kilometers) on Thursday and was 40% contained, according to the New Jersey Forest Fire Service. The fire — being referred to as the “shotgun wildfire” — had spurred authorities to evacuate more than a dozen homes Wednesday, but all those residents were allowed to return Wednesday night.

Firefighters were using a backfire operation to burn areas ahead of the main fire to stop the flames.

The second fire was discovered early Thursday in Evesham in Burlington County. The size of that fire was not immediately known, but authorities said at least 50 structures were being threatened. It wasn’t clear if any evacuations would be required.

The causes of both fires remain under investigation.

Dry conditions have helped spark many wildfires in New Jersey in recent weeks. The state has not seen significant rain in over a month, and that trend was expected to continue for at least the next few days.