Wildfire Contained in West Deptford, New Jersey

No structures threatened as crews monitor for hotspots after 160-acre blaze

Apr. 12, 2026 at 1:38am

A sweeping, atmospheric landscape painting in muted tones, depicting a distant wildfire raging across a vast, natural expanse, with the silhouettes of trees or buildings dwarfed by the overwhelming scale of the disaster.A dramatic landscape painting captures the overwhelming scale and power of a raging wildfire, as the New Jersey Forest Fire Service works to contain the blaze.Red Bank Today

A wildfire that broke out on Saturday in West Deptford, New Jersey, has been fully contained after burning approximately 160 acres. The New Jersey Forest Fire Service responded to the blaze around 11 a.m. near the former Eagle Point Refinery property, with voluntary evacuations initially issued for around 60 threatened structures. By 6 p.m., crews had achieved 100% containment, and all evacuations have since been lifted.

Why it matters

Wildfires pose a serious threat to communities, especially in areas with dry conditions and dense vegetation. The rapid containment of this fire suggests an effective response from local authorities, but the potential for reignition will depend on future weather patterns, underscoring the need for continued monitoring even after the flames are extinguished.

The details

The wildfire grew to approximately 160 acres and was 70% contained by 2 p.m. on the day it started. At that time, around 60 structures were initially considered threatened, prompting voluntary evacuations. By 6 p.m., crews had achieved 100% containment, and all voluntary evacuations have since been lifted. Fire crews will remain at the scene for several hours to reinforce containment lines and address any remaining hotspots.

  • The New Jersey Forest Fire Service responded to the wildfire around 11 a.m. on Saturday.
  • By 2 p.m., the fire had grown to approximately 160 acres and was 70% contained.
  • By 6 p.m., crews had achieved 100% containment of the wildfire.

The players

New Jersey Forest Fire Service

The state agency responsible for responding to and containing wildfires in New Jersey.

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What’s next

Crews will remain at the scene for several hours to reinforce containment lines and address any remaining hotspots. The possibility of the fire flaring up again will depend on future weather patterns, such as the arrival of steady rainfall.

The takeaway

The rapid containment of this wildfire in West Deptford demonstrates the effectiveness of the New Jersey Forest Fire Service's response, but the continued monitoring and addressing of hotspots underscores the persistent threat that wildfires pose to communities, even after the flames are extinguished.