Crews battle large brush fires near NJ Turnpike and Newark Airport in Elizabeth
NEW JERSEY (WABC) -- Crews battled several large brush fires that broke out in Elizabeth, New Jersey on Tuesday.
NewsCopter 7 was over the scene where a large plume of smoke could be seen across the city.
The fires burned near the east side of the New Jersey Turnpike and opposite Newark Liberty International Airport.
The fire and smoke impacted drivers as they traveled on the turnpike during the heart of the evening commute.
Newark Airport said the fire was off airport property and did not impacting any flights.
It's not clear yet how the fires started.
It comes amid a statewide effort to prevent a repeat of the wildfires that were seen last year in New Jersey.
The Forest Fire Service is now providing more tools and resources than ever before.
The Forest Fire Service says the Danger Dashboard on its website is frequently updated with the fire danger rating, county by county.
The New Jersey Wildfire Risk Assessment Portal offers data and resources to help residents and community leaders to mitigate the threat of wildfire risk.
Some other advice from the fire service: make sure fire trucks can access your driveway. Also, they urge people to use wood stove and fireplaces carefully, and douse the ashes with water before getting rid of them.
Peak wildfire season typically runs from mid-March through mid-May.
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