Officials: Wharton State Forest fire started by lightning
<p>Officials say a fire that burned 3,500 acres in a remote part of Wharton State Forest was started by a lightning strike.</p>
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Jul 24, 2017, 4:09 PM
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Updated 2,603 days ago
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Officials say a fire that burned 3,500 acres in a remote part of Wharton State Forest was started by a lightning strike.
The New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection said Monday that several trees were struck Wednesday night. Investigators believe a pine tree caught fire and the flames spread to nearby trees.
Crews in lookout towers first noticed the flames Thursday afternoon.
The agency says the fire is now completely contained and controlled.
Smoke drifted through parts of southern New Jersey while the fire burned. The Ocean County Sheriff's Office said it could be smelled 30 miles away in Long Beach Island. People reported seeing smoke in Atlantic County as well.
The Associated Press wire services contributed to this report.
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