OVER NIGHT SCARE: BRUSH FIRE ERUPTS FEET FROM HOMES IN FRANKLIN LAKES.
THE FLAMES THAT WOKE FRANKLIN LAKES
Franklin Lakes residents woke up to flashing red lights instead of the sunrise after an overnight brush fire sparked dangerously close to several homes — a jarring reminder that even the wealthiest corners of Bergen County aren’t immune to wildfire scares.
Just before 4 a.m., firefighters were dispatched to a wooded property off High Mountain Road, where flames were chewing through dry brush and creeping toward backyards. In a neighborhood known for its quiet affluence, large lots, and dense tree cover, the threat escalated fast.
Crews arriving in the dark found a growing fire burning close to a residence’s rear property line. Worse, the wind nudged the flames in the direction of nearby homes on Osage Lane, raising the stakes from “routine brush fire” to “potential multi-home emergency.”
Within minutes, hoses were deployed, ground lines stretched, and crews began carving fire breaks through the dense vegetation.
A RACE AGAINST THE CLOCK — AND THE WIND
Officials say the early-morning conditions didn’t help: low visibility, patchy wind, and thick wooded terrain that funnels heat and smoke toward homes. Firefighters had to navigate steep, brush-choked ground in near-darkness while knocking down advancing flames.
By 5:30 a.m., after nearly 90 minutes of intense suppression, the fire was declared contained — a victory that prevented a full-scale disaster but still left a sizable burn scar behind the affected homes.
No injuries were reported. No homes were lost. But residents didn’t need damage reports to feel the adrenaline spike — many woke to smoke drifting onto their decks, the glow of engines in their driveways, and the unsettling realization that the fire line was a short sprint from their property.
WHAT WE KNOW — AND WHAT WE DON’T
Fire officials said the blaze does not appear suspicious, though investigators are still determining the origin point. The working theory: a combination of dry leaf-litter, wind, and possibly a natural ignition or accidental spark.
Still, any overnight fire near homes raises eyebrows.
Residents along High Mountain Road and Osage Lane spent the morning inspecting yards, checking siding for heat exposure, and clearing out leftover brush.