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UPDATE

William E. Cleary Sr. | CNBNews

The smoke from the fire covered the South Jersey area. Image courtesy of Channel 6 Action News

NATIONAL PARK, NJ–Around 10:30 AM Saturday, April 11, 2026, black and dark gray smoke plumes were visible to the west. The smoke could be seen from far away, even from the Walt Whitman Bridge. “Lookie Lou’s” from all over South Jersey were driving toward the smoke, trying to find the source. CNBNews initially headed to Water Street, Gloucester City. Finding nothing, we drove to Old Crown Point Road, West Deptford, thinking the fire was at the Sunoco Refinery tank farm that faces The Piston Diner.

Not seeing anything at that location, we drove to the nearby community of National Park. Traffic was backed up from the 295 exit ramp to the Hessian Avenue traffic light. As Sweetie and I neared the fire, the smoke turned a dark black. Despite having my van windows closed and the AC on, my eyes began to tear, and I began to choke uncontrollably. Sweetie began to whimper. At that point, traffic was getting more congested. We abandoned our search for the fire’s location and headed home.

The office of Gloucester County Emergency Management issued the following press release: An extremely large brush fire is burning in the National Park near the Sunoco Refinery property. Smoke plumes and ash are reported as far south and east as Glassboro and Washington Twp.

A vast number of resources throughout Gloucester County are on the scene or responding, fighting the fire and protecting structures. Multiple fireboats from both sides of the Delaware and teams from the New Jersey Forest Fire Service are also assisting. Conditions may change or worsen due to high winds or fire behavior.

Onlookers are urged to stay out of the area! Excessive vehicle and pedestrian traffic near the fire scene is hindering the emergency response and fire suppression efforts.

Those with health or breathing problems are urged to stay indoors or close windows if they are sensitive to smoke.

A Forest Fire Service plane capable of dropping 600 gallons is being deployed.

Avoid the area. Please follow directions from emergency personnel.

According to Channel 6, Action News, at a 2 p.m. update, officials said the fire is 160 acres in size and 70% contained.

Voluntary evacuations are in place due to 60 structures being threatened by the flames, the forest fire service said.

WILDFIRE UPDATE 1:45PM West Deptford Township, Gloucester County

The New Jersey Forest Fire Service is in unified command with the West Deptford Fire Department a wildfire in the area Red Bank Ave and Hessian Ave Deptford Township, Gloucester County.

SIZE & CONTAINMENT

50 acres

40% contained

STRUCTURES THREATENED

100 structures threatened

Voluntary evacuations in place

ROADS AFFECTED Red Bank Ave closed from Hessian Ave to the Delaware River.

RESOURCES DEPLOYED

Forest Fire Service engines and ground crews.

FIRE CAUSE

Under investigation

NEXT UPDATE

6 p.m. on Saturday, April 11

RESOURCES DEPLOYED

Forest Fire Service engines and ground crews.

Avoid the area. Please follow directions from emergency personnel.

Updates will be posted to this page, and @NJDEPForestFire on X as they become available.

Tracy Capistrand

Been hearing about it on the radio all day but they called it a brush fire. Doesn’t sound like a brush fire to me if 50 acres are on fire

Amber Lynn

My boyfriend sent me this at 11am. Please keep working… praying the winds don’t shift and that everyone stays safe (but especially my boy and his family)