HAMMONTON--Crews continue working to control and contain the fire that's burning through the Wharton State Forest. It's a battle their fighting from both land and air.

It's not a war-zone, but crews are still battling a tough fight against Mother Nature and the fast moving fire burning through the Wharton State Forest. "It's a heck of a challenge," said firefighter Shawn Judy, "guys are working hard and we're pulling off a pretty amazing stunt here."

Crews have been working for more than 24 hours and have been able to contain about 40% of the fire. Still, more than 1,800 acres have burned. "Anytime we have wind it drives the fire," said Willie Cirone with the NJ Forest Fire Service, "it induces the oxygen into the fire and increases the fire behavior."

We followed crews into the nearly white-out conditions to the front lines of the fight against the fire. While the fire may appear to be out, it's not...something called "turfing" is keeping it burning underground. "What happens is the needles, the leaves compact and the fire burns into the ground," said Cirone, "what can happen is once it burns into the ground it can actually burn across where it hasn't burned and pop up."

Residents living in the six homes along Rt. 206 that were evacuated yesterday were told this afternoon they're allowed to return, although with heavy smoke conditions it's unknown if they'll want to. "Hopefully no harm's gonna be done," said Judy, "this area's very fire prone. It's burned before and it will someday burn again."

As Forest Fire Helicopters and Army Air National Guard Blackhawks dip into the nearby Atsion Lake to fill their water bucket, it's unknown how long an operation like this will take to get the fire under control. But, officials tell us they'll keep going until it's out.

Officials say Rt. 206 will remain closed until at least Thursday morning.