Smoky fire in Pine Barrens mostly contained

A forest fire that started in a swampy section of the New Jersey Pine Barrens was 60 percent contained Tuesday, a day after the blaze started, an official with the state Forest Fire Service said.

The more than 650-acre blaze in Bass River State Forest in Burlington County wasn't expected to grow, said Michael Drake, a division fire warden. Fire officials expect to fully contain the fire in the next two days, Drake said.

The fire, which broke out Monday, forced visitors, campers and staff to evacuate Bass River State Forest. Flames possibly could have threatened the park office. The park and recreational area were reopened Tuesday, along with roads in and around the park, Drake said. Dans Bridge Road remains closed, he said.

Lake Absegami remains open to swimmers but kayaking or boating is not permitted, he said, because Forest Fire Service helicopters were using the water to fight the fire, Drake said. Officials also were concerned that if the fire worsened, then getting vessels to shore might take too long.

Bert Plante, a spokesman for the state Forest Fire Service, said he expected that 80 percent of the fire would be contained by Tuesday evening.

"All morning and into the early afternoon, the winds were blowing the flames back onto the main body of fire rather than spreading it outward," Plante said. "We have got quite a bit of fire occurring in two big swampy areas at the center of the fire. But we feel confident about it behaving itself and staying in there."

No populated areas were threatened. The cause of the fire, which began in a swampy area inaccessible to firefighters, remains under investigation. More than 40 firefighters battled the blaze Tuesday with 13 fire engines, three bulldozers, and two helicopters.