We've been getting worried emails from Brooklyn readers who are wondering if that giant black plume of smoke is coming from a catastrophic fire in Manhattan. Turns out that a major brush fire is raging in New Jersey just off the turnpike near MetLife Stadium. The three-alarm fire began around 1:15 p.m. according to officials and has sent smoke billowing high above the Manhattan skyline, making it visible all the way in Brooklyn and Queens.
Some minor traffic delays have been reported due to the thick, black smoke the fire is producing, but no the blaze is under control and no buildings have been damaged and no injuries reported. At least ten fire departments responded and are working to put out the blaze.
Dry conditions and strong winds are being blamed for the spate of fires that have broken out across the tri-state area in the past week. We'll update as more information becomes available.
Update: Officials have decided to close down part of the NJ Turnpike: The Star-Ledger reports, "Swampy terrain and tall grass make it too dangerous for crews to fight the 100-acre fire directly, said Kevin Drake, assistant division fire warden for the New Jersey Forest Fire Service. Drake said there is a concern that winds could fan the flames into a frenzy and quickly overtake fire crews. Dropping water on the fire from the air is not feasible because it would take too long for planes to fly back and forth from their home airfields."
