Wildfire breaks out at military gunnery range in New Jersey

BARNEGAT, N.J. - Firefighters are battling a 1,167-acre forest fire raging at a major military gunnery range in Ocean County.

The "Whip-poor-will Wildfire" was sparked at the Warren Grove Air to Ground Range on Tuesday.

Military training took place earlier in the day, but no official cause has been released.

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The range covers 9,400 acres and 60 miles of airspace, according to the New Jersey National Guard. It’s used for a variety of military exercises, including weapons delivery practice for helicopters and other aircraft teams, laser training, and gunnery and munitions drills.

Officials say Tuesday night's rain helped bring the 1,167-acre fire under 80 percent containment as of Wednesday morning.

No structures are currently threatened, no roads are closed and no evacuations are in place.