West Milford, NJ – A wildfire has burned 70 acres in West Milford Township, leading to a full road closure Tuesday night as crews work to contain the flames.
According to the New Jersey Forest Fire Service, the fire broke out along Clinton Road between Goldfinch Lane and Van Orden Road in Passaic County. As of 9:30 p.m., the fire remained 0% contained, with no structures threatened and no evacuations ordered.
Officials confirmed Clinton Road is closed in both directions within the fire zone. Firefighters deployed engines and ground crews to the area, and investigators are working to determine the cause of the blaze. The Forest Fire Service stressed that no drones are permitted in wildfire areas, as they can interfere with suppression aircraft.
The fire, named the Buckabear Wildfire, is expected to continue overnight, with the next public update scheduled for 8:30 a.m. Wednesday. While no homes or businesses are currently in danger, officials said they will continue to monitor conditions closely.
The Forest Fire Service explained that wildfires are classified as “major” once they exceed 100 acres in size. With Tuesday’s fire already covering 70 acres, residents are urged to remain alert as crews attempt to build containment lines.
Motorists are advised to avoid the affected section of Clinton Road and seek alternate routes until fire officials declare the area safe.
This article was produced by a journalist and may include AI-assisted input. All content is reviewed for accuracy and fairness.
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