Smoky fire in Pine Barrens mostly contained

A forest fire in a swampy section of the New Jersey Pine Barrens was 60 percent contained on Tuesday, a day after the blaze started, an official with the state Forest Fire Service said.

The more than 650-acre blaze in Bass River State Forest in Burlington County wasn't expected to grow, said Michael Drake, a division fire warden. Fire officials expect to fully contain the fire in the next two days, Drake said.

On Monday, the fire forced the evacuation of Bass River State Forest and flames could have possibly threatened the park office. Drake said the park and recreational area were reopened on Tuesday, along with roads in and around the park. Dans Bridge Road remains closed, he said.

In addition, he said Lake Absegami remains open to swimmers but kayaking or boating is forbidden in the lake because Forest Fire Service helicopters were using the water to fight the fire, Drake said.