UPDATE: Hamilton Twp. Fire is Deemed “Suspicious”

The fire that has been burning around Hamilton Township by Route 322 since this morning is now being investigated as a possible arson.

Sarah Watson from The Press of Atlantic City reports that a debris pile was discovered near where the fire originated and that has now led investigators to deem the fire as "suspicious in nature".

The fire encompasses about 115 acres, and was reported this morning by a crop duster in the area.  This fire had burned about 25 acres when forest firefighters found the blazes.  Word from the N.J. Dept. of Environmental Protection is that the fire grew to 130 acres.

The fire remains in this remote area by 8th Street around 322 (see map), and no threat to any houses or businesses in the area, especially now that the fire is contained, however word is the fire won’t be completely out until there is a heavy rain on the contained area.

So far this year, we have seen multiple fires breaking up since the spring (ranging from the small to the intense blaze in the Pinelands in Camden County a couple of months back).  Sarah Watson hits it on the head with the combination of unseasonably warm temperatures with high winds and moderate drought conditions creating "a dangerous tinderbox in many parts of the state".

Smoke can still be seen from the Atlantic City Expressway, so if you are going to be traveling in the vicinity of Exit 28 be alert to other drivers who may slow down to see the black plumes.