brush fires

Early morning fires in the Pine Barrens of Burlington County demonstrate the increased threat of wildfires today's summer-like weather brings to all of New Jersey.

Brush fire season in New Jersey is off to a hot start after last week's fire in Berkeley Township, and fire officials are counting on controlled burns to keep the flames tamed.

Residents of developed suburban communities may not be accustomed to dealing with brush fires, and last Friday's blaze in Edison showed the danger of the flames.

Smoke from several small brush fires burning along the New Jersey Turnpike near Newark Liberty International Airport caused some traffic slowdowns during the Monday evening commute.