applie pie hill

A view of land from the top of the fire tower on Apple Pie Hill. (Star-Ledger file photo)

(file photo)

TABERNACLE TWP. -- The fire tower at Apple Pie Hill, which at 205 feet tall provides glimpses of both Atlantic City and Philadelphia, is being fenced off to restrict public access.

Larry Hajna, a state Department of Environmental Protection spokesman, said Saturday that those wishing to climb the 60-foot-tall tower will only be able to do so when New Jersey Forest Fire Service Division B staff are present.

Saying "progressive problems at the fire tower" resulted in the decision to close it to the public, Hajna cited incidents such as televisions being tossed from the top of the structure and fire fighting equipment being stolen or damaged.

To reach New Jersey Forest Fire Service Division B and require about access, readers may call 609-762-9010. However, Hajna said, there's "no guarantee" that you'll be allowed it.

"All you see is a sea of green and the casinos in Atlantic City but everything in front of you is just part of the Pinelands," Jeff Tittel, director of the New Jersey chapter of the Sierra Club, previously told NJ Advance Media of the view the tower provides.

Greg Adomaitis may be reached at gadomaitis@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @GregAdomaitis. Find NJ.com on Facebook.