By SARAH WATSON Staff Writer | Posted: Wednesday, July 7, 2010 | 0 comments

As southern New Jersey baked in the oven-like heat for a fourth day Wednesday, state forest fire officials are concerned that the ongoing dryness could fuel forest fires.

The National Weather Service issued a red flag warning until......Continue Reading 

The National Weather service in Mount Holly has issued a red flag warning.

This Afternoon And Early Evening Will Be Very Hot, And Fine Fuels
Are Extremely Dry. Relative Humidity Levels Likely Will Drop Below
30 Percent In At Least Some Parts Of Southeastern Pennsylvania,
New Jersey, Delaware And The Northern Maryland Eastern Shore.
Winds Likely Will Not Gust Consistently At Or Above 20 Mph, But
Under The Current Weather Conditions The Threat Of Wildfires Is
Sufficiently High To Warrant A Red Flag Warning Through Early
Evening.

Precautionary/Preparedness Actions,

A Red Flag Warning Means That Critical Fire Weather Conditions
Are Either Occurring Now Or Will Shortly. In This Case, A
Combination Of Moderate Winds, Low Relative Humidity, Very Dry
Conditions And Hot Temperatures Will Create Explosive Fire Growth
Potential.

By DAN GOOD, Staff Writer | Posted: Wednesday, July 7, 2010 | 0 comments

Firefighters in Egg Harbor Township spent the morning on Somers Avenue Wednesday - protecting a home from smoke and fire damage.

The fire was caused by the home's owner, who improperly discarded ash from a.....Continue Reading 

From Press staff reports | Posted: Tuesday, July 6, 2010 | 0 comments

A July 4th house fire in Mays Landing was started by illegal fireworks, police said in a news release.

Around 10 p.m. Sunday, Hamilton Township police and fire units responded to the 6100 block of Longwood Ave for a brush and house fire.

Investigators determined the fire was started by fireworks, likely a Roman candle, Lt. Ed Barr said. Police arrested and charged Benjamin Kruse, 37, of Hammonton, with unlawful possession of fireworks.

Mays Landing Volunteer Fire Co. and the New Jersey Forest Fire service put the fire out at the house, which was unoccupied. The front of the building was moderately damaged.

NBC40 Video

OCEAN CITY -- The holiday traffic in and out of the shore town was backed up during peak hours Sunday afternoon when a mechanical malfunction closed the 9th Street bridge.

Fire officials say some of the electrical wiring under the drawbridge overheated and even started to smoke. The malfunction is believed to have been caused by the high temperatures.

Power was immediately cut and the roadway was closed to traffic for several hours as crews inspected the damage.

It wasn't until about 3:30pm when the all clear was given and traffic was allowed across.

From Press staff reports | Posted: Sunday, July 4, 2010 | 0 comments

A two-car crash at milepost 48.3 on the Garden State Parkway sent one person to the hospital Sunday morning, State Police said.

According to police, Nicole Serje, 21, of Rockhill, Conn., was traveling in the left lane on the northbound side of the parkway at 9:46 a.m. when she attempted to move into the right lane.

Serje's Toyota Camry then hit a Nissan Sentra driven by Walter Galaraga, 64, of Dover Township. Her car then hit a barrier and overturned, police said.

Serje suffered minor injuires and was taken by ambulance to AtlantiCare Regional Medical Center, city division, police said.

Tone outs 

This is a VOX recording. It is condensed and not in real time.