Crime & Safety

Forest Fire Burns Nearly an Acre Near High School

No one injured in blaze, Hopatcong police say.

A forest fire burned just less than an acre of woods near the football field early Wednesday morning. No one was hurt, police said.

A borough resident noticed flames and smoke billowing from the trees behind the fence of the upper parking lot near the field and called police around 12:30 a.m., Fire Chief Wade Crowley said.

The flames were under control about a half-hour later, said Crowley, who added that Hopatcong could see more forest fires this summer.

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"Especially if it stays this dry," he said.

Hopatcong's fire department, and responded to the scene, as well as the state Forest Fire Service.

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Smoke could be seen hanging in the air at the scene as late as 1:40 a.m. The smell of burning wood and shurbs carried more than a mile away.


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