Fire Chars Two Acres in Princeton Township

Princeton Fire Department battled a brush fire that charred about two acres of in Princeton Township on Saturday.

It was shortly before 5 p.m. when heavy smoke was reported coming from the woods at Mountain Lakes Preserve between Great Road and Cherry Hill Road, according to Princeton Township Police.

Patrols entered the woods on foot and discovered a large brush fire in the north central part of the preserve along the Transco Gas Pipeline. 

The park was evacuated and Princeton Fire requested assistance from the New Jersey Forest Fire Service and volunteer fire companies from Lawrence, West Windsor, Plainsboro, Montgomery and Hopewell Borough.

The fire was under control by about 6:20 p.m., but it took several additional hours of inspection and cleanup to ensure to the fire was completely out. 

The cause of the fire is under investigation by Princeton Township Police Det. Annette Henderson, the Mercer County Prosecutor's Office and the NJ Dept. of Forestry. No specific determination of cause has been identified at this time.

Due to the recent lack of rain and other factors, the New Jersey Forest Fire Service has classified the current fire danger for the central part of the state as “Extreme” and has imposed Stage 3 restrictions for campfires.

Under the fire danger rating system used by the state, the “Extreme” level is the most serious and is described as follows: “Fires start readily from sparks or cigarette butts, spread and crown rapidly. Spot fires common. All burn fiercely and may blow up unless controlled promptly.”

Stage 3 campfire restrictions, meanwhile, are as follows: “All fires in wooded areas will be prohibited unless contained in an elevated stove using only propane, natural gas, gas, or electricity. No charcoal fires are allowed.”