Wildfire season begins later this month, but hundreds of acres have already burned in Salem and Mercer counties.

It's a sight that couple Anthony M. Carrella and Jérémie Lumbroso never thought they would see, let alone experience in their backyard on Woosamonsa Road in Hopewell Township - flames threatening their home from Saturday's Poor Farm Road Wildfire in Hopewell Township.

"It was right outside of our bedrooms and offices. But what was really intimidating is from the second floor, you could see the shape of the mountain, the contour and you could just see the entire mountain was covered in light and it was pretty scary," said Carrella.

Fire Officials say 90% of the fire is contained, and more than 293 acres have burned. The fire initially threatened 34 structures and closed roads. Luckily, no one had to fully evacuate.

"We're seeing larger size of our fires than normal just because of the conditions were experiencing...The moisture didn't seep into the ground. The fuels are still dried and cured from the fall, so until they start greening up in early May, this is kind of what we're looking at," said Eric Weber with the New Jersey Forest Fire Service.

The Forest Fire Service says we are off to an early start for the first season, which technically starts March 15 and goes till May 15. As we get into the season, they have reminders.

"Be careful with your campfire, making sure you have a permit. You know, it's really just an accountability and safety thing, discarding ashes, cigarettes, all of those things. All of those things just be careful with fire," said Weber.

Carrella says the home's septic field drainage area was damaged, and they are dealing with some air quality issues from smoke inside the home, but otherwise, they are OK. They say they are grateful for the protection from the firefighters.

"It was nice that they were all around because while it's all happening, you're like, this is stressful, but it must be OK because if it weren't, they would do something," said Lumbroso.

Forest Fire Service says it expects the full containment of this wildfire Monday night. Residents can expect smoke to remain until there is significant rainfall over the area.

The cause of the fire is under investigation.