Article and photos by Ron Jeffers
A wind-whipped brush fire consumed approximately 60 acres of the New Jersey Meadowlands near MetLife Stadium and threatened commercial buildings in the East Rutherford and Carlstadt area on Wednesday. The western spur of the New Jersey Turnpike was closed for about 45 minutes because of thick smoke blowing across the highway.
The fire broke out at 1:10 p.m. and sections of the Meadowlands were still burning at 8:00 p.m. Carlstadt Battalion Chief Tom Sabia said the wind was “killing us” by helping the fire to spread.
Numerous handlines and master streams were set up when the fire reached the area occupied by commercial buildings. Fire apparatus were moved on numerous occasions to keep up with the moving flames. Firefighters could not attack the fire in the middle of the marshlands because of the dangerous conditions there and were left with no other option but to let the flames spread to the edge of the site.
Firefighters wet down buildings and apparatus as the fought the fire, which sent up huge columns of smoke over the New York City metropolitan area.
Numerous brush fires have broken out in the state during this period of dry conditions. low humidity and strong winds.
“I haven’t seen a fire like this in 10 to 15 years,” said Battalion Chief Sabia.
The fire was a fifth alarm and 15 fire departments operated at the scene, including units from the New Jersey Forest Fire Service.
