Crews worked through the weekend to battle a major forest fire that has charred thousands of acres in Penn State Forest in Burlington County.

With high winds and dry conditions, the fire was able to quickly spread to 10,000 acres in less than 24 hours. By Sunday evening, DEP officials said the fire was 75 percent contained.

The fire sparked Saturday around 1:45 p.m., but smoke and haze was being experienced as far north as Passaic County Sunday. In Central Jersey, people reported seeing ash. Smoke from the fire appeared on News 12's weather radar.

Several major roads around the Pine Barrens, just west of the Ocean County, were shutdown while smoke and ash filled the air - as far north as Holmdel and Marlboro in Monmouth County, which is at least 40 miles from the fire.

There were some voluntary evacuations Saturday night, but officials say no other evacuations were necessary.

Officials say no one was hurt and no structures have been burned since most of the forest burning is open and uninhabited.

News 12 is told that the plan of attack is for crews have to establish a perimeter, then let the fire burn out.

The controlled burns from last year are actually helping contain the fire, officials say.

 

Officials say the fire could continue burning for several more days.

Although rainy conditions on Sunday lowered the intensity of the flames, officials say it wasn't enough to put the fire out.

Gov. Phil Murphy said the state is grateful for the swift response of the brave men and women who have been working tirelessly overnight to contain the fire.

The cause of the fire is still under investigation.

Smoke from the fire appeared on News 12's weather radar.