Blog note. Jesus indicated that ‘fearful sights’ (various natural disasters) would occur leading up to the time known as the Tribulation and Great Tribulation (a combined seven year period of great destruction on earth). Although these types of things have occurred in the past for centuries and thousands of years, they could be identified as the ‘season of the times’ due to the ferociousness of these events. They would be occurring in greater intensity, severity, frequency, size, duration, scope … just like the pains that a woman experiences in labor the farther along she is in the labor process. We are in the ‘season of the times’ that comes just before the seven (7) year Tribulation/Great Tribulation period
… And great earthquakes shall be in diverse places, and famines, and pestilences; and fearful sights and great signs shall there be from heaven. (Luke 21:11).
… And there shall be signs in the sun, and in the moon, and in the stars; and upon the earth distress of nations, with perplexity; the sea and the waves roaring; (Luke 21:25)
… Men’s hearts failing them for fear, and for looking after those things which are coming on the earth: for the powers of heaven shall be shaken; (Luke 21:26)
… This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. (2 Timothy 3:1)
Jesus is giving a series of prophecies about what to look for as the age of grace comes to a close. These verses are several of many such prophecies from throughout the Bible. 2017 was the worst year in recorded history for the intensity, frequency, severity, duration and occurrence of a large number of severe natural disasters worldwide. Earthquakes, volcanoes, hurricanes, typhoons, cyclones, torrential flooding, unprecedented wildfires in unusual places, devastating droughts, excessive/scorching heat setting records everywhere, record snowfalls in Europe and Russia. Snow in the Arabia. This list can go on. Most studied Eschatologists believe these ‘fearful sights’ and massive natural disasters are all part of the ‘CONVERGENCE’ of signs that this Biblical and prophetic age is closing. Most people who study prophecy are familiar with the routine reference(s) made that these things will be like a woman having labor.

New Jersey forest fire burns 10,000 acres, roads closed as smoke spreads

Kala Kachmar. USA TODAY•March 31, 2019

ASBURY PARK, N.J. – A wildfire that started in Penn State Forest on Saturday is now raging across 10,000 acres of forest in Burlington County, but about 75 percent of it is contained authorities said early Sunday.

Route 72 between routes 532 and 539 in Barnegat remains closed while firefighters try to contain the spread of the wildfire. As of noon Sunday, about three-quarters of the fire is contained, but not under control, said John Rieth, an assistant warden with the New Jersey Forest Fire Service.

A wildfire is under control when the threat of it spreading has been halted, and that hasn’t yet happened, Rieth said.

There are no threats to structures and no reported injuries or property damage, but local fire departments are standing by in case that changes, Rieth said. On Saturday, Burlington County activated its wildfire strike team.

The fire grew from about 8,000 acres to 10,000 acres Sunday morning, but the growth is in part because the state’s forest fire service is fighting the wildfire by setting fires around it to stop it from spreading, Rieth said.

The fire control line may even expand out further than the 10,000 acres, Rieth said, an area equal to about 15.5 square miles.

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 even reports of smoke as far north as as Bergen and as far south as Atlantic counties on Sunday morning.

There are about 50 firefighters and 17 trucks from the state’s forest fire service working to contain the fire, Reith said. A helicopter is monitoring its spread.

Rieth said he expects the same amount of firefighters and resources will be used overnight.

“We will be out there all night,” Rieth said. “Something like this, we won’t take a chance.”

The fire is near the Ocean County border, but Rieth said he believes the fire is still only in Burlington.

When the wildfire was spotted just before 2 p.m. Saturday, less than an acre was on fire, Rieth said. It was first reported from the Apple Pie Hill Fire Tower in Tabernacle Township, Rieth said.

A team of fire investigators from various agencies is conducting an inspection to try to determine the cause of the fire, Reith said.

“It could be a million possibilities,” he said. “Our plan is working at this time. We’re pleased with the progress they’re making.”

Rieth said the fire service is using what’s called “backfire” to stop the fire from growing.

“We fight fire with fire,” Rieth said. “We light fires ahead of the fire and around the fire.”

The fire can’t grow is there’s no fuel and oxygen to help its spread, Rieth said. The idea is when the fires meet, they go out because there’s no more brush, vegetation and trees to burn.

“With a fire of this magnitude, there’s no way to put it out with water,” he said. “There’s not enough water in the world.”

The little bit of rain that’s expected to fall this afternoon probably won’t be enough to help put out flames, Rieth said. He said it’s more likely to impede progress unless it ends up raining more than the predicted one-tenth of an inch.

Conditions for wildfires have been ripe for the past few days because of the dry air and wind, Rieth said. Winds near the fire are blowing at about 14 mph with 20 mph gusts, according to the National Weather Service in Mount Holly.