A wildfire in Ocean County, New Jersey is burning across thousands of acres, forcing mandatory evacuations overnight in Ocean and Lacey townships.
New Jersey’s acting Gov. Tahesha Way declared a state of emergency for Ocean County starting at 7 a.m. Wednesday in response to what’s being called the Jones Road Wildfire.
“Yesterday, our State Forest Fire Service informed us of a wildfire in Ocean Township, Ocean County. Due to its accelerated growth, with an estimated burn of 8,500 acres, threatening more than 1,000 structures, requiring the evacuation of residents in the area, and the loss of power to over 25,000 residents, I am declaring a State of Emergency for Ocean County,” Way said in a statement. “I encourage all residents in the County to continue to monitor the proper channels, and to use caution and follow all safety protocols.”
As of 6:30 a.m., the Ocean and Lacey township police departments said on social media all evacuation orders had been lifted.
The Garden State Parkway also reopened between Barnegat and Lacey roads, and Route 9 reopened from Lakeside Drive to CR 532.
At last update late Tuesday night, the New Jersey Forest Fire Service said the fire was only 10% contained after burning through 8,500 acres. So far, no injuries have been reported.
Fire officials are scheduled to share another update at 11 a.m. Wednesday. You can watch live in the video player above.
Jones Road Wildfire update expected today
The New Jersey Forest Fire Service said the fire started around 10 a.m. Tuesday in the Greenwood Forest Wildlife Management Area in Barnegat Township.
The massive, rapidly growing blaze forced the evacuation of 3,000 residents and shut down several major roads, including a swath of the Garden State Parkway between exits 63 and 74.
Cellphone video showed huge plumes of smoke obscuring the sky by Tuesday afternoon. Chopper video captured a wall of flames consume the Pine Barrens near Route 9, fully engulfing a structure at one point.
Those in the evacuation zone were busy packing, nervous after seeing images of other structures in town burn down.
“Lots of smoke in the air. You could really smell and taste the smoke and the fire in the air. It was definitely very strong, very prevalent,” resident Andrew Fellin said. “Right after the police showed up, told us that it was a mandatory evacuation, that’s when our power went out in our house, and that’s when we’re like, OK we need to get out of here. So I’d say a little scary, a little chaotic, just overall shocked.”
The Red Cross set up shelters at Southern Regional High School in Manahawkin and Manchester Township High School in Manchester.
As of late Tuesday night, Jersey Central Power & Light cut power to about 25,000 homes and businesses in the area to protect firefighters battling the flames.
Fire engines, bulldozers and ground crews have all been deployed to establish containment lines. Fire officials say they’re also conducting backfiring operations to burn fuel ahead of the main body of fire.
