The combination of strong gusty northwest winds, the lack of significant rain in over a week and low relative humidity levels helped several major wildfires spread quickly across the southern half of New Jersey on the 23rd and 24th. Containment was not reached until the 26th. Residents were evacuated in one of the wildfires in Berkeley Township (Ocean County), but property damage was minimal and no serious injuries were reported.  The dry conditions led to a ban of all outdoor fires on the 24th in New Jersey.
The first major wildfire occurred on the 23rd in Cumberland County in the Edward G. Bevan Fish and Wildlife Management Area in Downe Township between Spring Garden and Shaw Mills Road. The New Jersey Forest Fire Service was dispatched on the afternoon of the 23rd and closed Dividing Creek-Millville Road from Battle Lane to Railroad Avenue and Ackley Road from Dividing Creek-Millville Road to Shaws Mill Road  to protect residents and stage fire equipment. Fifty firefighters from the New Jersey Forest Fire Service, along with area fire departments, spent the afternoon and evening of the 23rd trying to contain the fire���s spread. Along with fire apparatuses, the New Jersey Forest Fire Service used tractors, plows, an air tanker and an observational helicopter to help contain the wildfire. The wildfire was considered 85 percent contained as of 5 p.m. EDT on the 23rd. The wildfire was declared under control on the morning of the 25th and charred 1,535 acres.
A pair of wildfires occurred in Berkeley Township and Beachwood Borough.  The higher impact wildfire occurred along the Berkeley Township and Beachwood Borough border.  It started at 1045 a.m. EDT on the 24th near Beachwood in Berkeley Township.  About 400 to 600 residents between Northern Boulevard and Maryland Avenue in Berkeley Township were evacuated. Children from the Intermediate South Elementary School in Beachwood were sent home early as the school was used as a command post. About 15 fire companies were battling the blaze. Three bulldozers, several helicopters and firefighting planes were also used to battle the blaze. The wildfire was declared 100 percent contained at 10 p.m. EDT on the 25th and evacuees were permitted to return home. The wildfire charred about 307 acres. Only minor structural damage was reported. One shed and one swing set were burned and some singeing of homes occurred.  No serious injuries were reported.  The second wildfire occurred in Double Trouble State Park in the southwestern part of Berkeley Township off of Pinewald-Keswick Road. The wildfire started at 5 pm. EDT on the 24th. It was 100 percent contained on the 26th at Noon EDT and consumed 220 acres.

The last major wildfire started during the afternoon of the 24th in Franklin Township in Gloucester County between Whitehall and Bluebell Roads. As of 930 a.m. EDT on the 25th, the wildfire was 60 percent contained. There were no reported serious injuries, no structures were damaged and no roads needed to be closed. However, heavy smoke was in the area. Lighter southeast winds and rain late in the day and overnight on the 25th helped firefighters get 100 percent containment on the morning of the 26th. The wildfire burned 569 acres.
Smaller wildfires occurred in Whiting and Jackson in Ocean County as well as in Mercer and Atlantic Counties. Gusty northwest winds on both the 23rd and 24th made it extremely difficult for firefighters to battle the wildfires. Peak wind gusts at the Atlantic City International Airport were 41 mph and 36 mph respectively.

Wildfire in CUMBERLAND, NEW JERSEY
From 23-APR-14 11:45:00 to 25-APR-14 06:00:00 (EST-5)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Park/Forest Service

Wildfire in GLOUCESTER, NEW JERSEY
From 24-APR-14 15:30:00 to 26-APR-14 07:00:00 (EST-5)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Park/Forest Service

Wildfire in WESTERN OCEAN, NEW JERSEY
From 24-APR-14 09:45:00 to 26-APR-14 11:00:00 (EST-5)
Property damage: 50.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Park/Forest Service