Wildwood’s Cripps Retires

1600-Acre-Plus Forest Fire in Stafford Forge WMA

Billy Cripps and his family celebrating his retirement after25 years in the Wildwood Fire Department. May 26, 2023, was his last shift. We wish him well in his new endeavorand may all his hopes and dreams come true.

On April 15, 2023, the New Jersey Forest Fighters Service responded to the Stafford Forge Wildlife Management Area and the Warren Grove Bombing Range in Ocean County fora forest fire. Units arrived and found the large-scale fire spreading rapidly. Units from Little Egg HarborTownship and surrounding municipalities were requested. The wildfire eventually burned through 1607 acres and closed portions of Route 539.