New Jersey’s Jones Road Wildfire grows to 13,250 acres, forcing evacuations and road closures
New Jersey wildfire update – The Jones Road Wildfire in Ocean County has grown to 13,250 acres, threatening over 1,000 structures and forcing the evacuation of thousands. It has become one of the largest wildfires in the state in nearly two decades.
The wildfire, fanned by high winds and dry conditions, exploded in size from its initial 10-acre start to 8,500 acres overnight. At one point, it jumped the Garden State Parkway, one of New Jersey’s busiest highways, causing significant disruption and halting traffic in both directions. As the fire continued to spread, it posed a grave risk to the nearby communities of Ocean and Lacey Townships.
New Jersey Forest Fire Service officials reported that by Wednesday afternoon, firefighters had managed to contain approximately 50% of the fire. Despite these efforts, the blaze is still growing and could become the largest wildfire in the state since 2007, when the Warren Grove Fire scorched 17,000 acres in the Pinelands. Authorities have warned that the fire could continue to grow, depending on weather conditions and available resources.
State officials have praised the bravery of the New Jersey fire service, with Commissioner of Environmental Protection Shawn LaTourette stating that thanks to their efforts, numerous homes were saved. No injuries have been reported, though one commercial building was destroyed and several cabins were damaged. A state of emergency was declared by Lt. Governor Tahesha Way, allowing for more resources to be allocated to the firefighting effort.
Firefighters are working around the clock to contain the blaze, with nearly 100 personnel, including ground crews and aircraft, battling the flames. In addition to the fire’s immediate threat to structures, the wildfire has caused widespread power outages, leaving 25,000 customers without electricity. As of Wednesday, crews were focused on the remaining hot spots and were hopeful the fire would be fully contained by the weekend.
The fire’s origin and cause are still under investigation, but officials believe dry vegetation, low humidity, and strong winds played a critical role in its rapid expansion. The fire, located in the Greenwood Forest Management area, has been described as burning through dense pine barren, which are highly combustible under the right conditions.
The situation in New Jersey is dire, especially given the state’s ongoing drought conditions, which have made it particularly vulnerable to wildfires. The New Jersey Forest Fire Service reported a significant uptick in fires this year, with 662 wildfires already recorded, burning more than 16,500 acres. In comparison, the state saw only 310 wildfires burning 315 acres at the same time last year.
Evacuations were initially ordered for affected residents, but by Wednesday, those orders were lifted. Still, residents are being urged to remain vigilant as the situation evolves. One evacuee, Michael Ferrara, described the intense fear as flames neared his neighbourhood, forcing him to leave his home with little more than essential belongings.
Officials have emphasised that the threat of wildfires will persist until more rainfall arrives, with forecasts predicting breezy conditions and a chance of rain by Friday night. As the fire continues to burn, it serves as a stark reminder of the growing threat of wildfires in areas like New Jersey, where conditions are increasingly ripe for such devastating events.
If the Jones Road Wildfire surpasses the size of the Mullica River Fire in 2022, it will become the largest wildfire New Jersey has seen in nearly 20 years. As crews continue to battle the flames, the state’s fire services remain on high alert, hoping for better weather conditions to help bring the wildfire under control.
