Ocean County Wildfire Forces Thousands to Evacuate

3 hours ago

2851 posts

Ocean County Wildfire Forces Thousands to Evacuate \ Newslooks \ Washington DC \ Mary Sidiqi \ Evening Edition \ A massive wildfire in Ocean County, NJ, forced over 3,000 evacuations as flames scorched 3,200 acres. The fire, only 5% contained, shut down a major highway and knocked out power to 23,000+ customers. Officials continue battling the blaze with air support and backfires.

Quick Looks

Location: Greenwood Forest Wildlife Management Area, Barnegat, NJ
Acreage: Fire has spread to 3,200 acres
Containment: Only 5% contained as of 8 p.m.
Evacuations: Over 3,000 residents evacuated from Lacey and Ocean Townships
Threatened Structures: 1,300 homes and buildings
Power Outages: 23,000+ JCP&L customers affected due to safety shutdown
Road Closures: Garden State Parkway shut between exits 63–80, portions reopened
Shelters Open: Manchester Township and Southern Regional High Schools
Response Efforts: Air tankers, helicopters, backfiring operations underway
Weather Factors: Wind gusts up to 25 mph, ongoing drought
No Injuries Reported
Cause: Still under investigation

Deep Look

A fierce and fast-moving wildfire ripped through parts of Ocean and Lacey Townships in Ocean County, New Jersey, on Tuesday night, prompting the urgent evacuation of more than 3,000 residents and threatening over 1,300 structures, according to the New Jersey Forest Fire Service. The fire, now known as the Jones Road Forest Fire, scorched through approximately 3,200 acres of woodland and was reported to be only 5% contained by 8 p.m. Tuesday evening.

The blaze ignited in the Greenwood Forest Wildlife Management Area, a dense, forested region near Barnegat Township, surrounded by single-family homes and residential communities nestled along the Jersey Shore. This area’s proximity to vast wooded lands and the current drought conditions have created a volatile mix, allowing the fire to spread at a dangerous pace, accelerated by 25 mph wind gusts recorded throughout the day.

Emergency Evacuations and Impacted Communities

Local officials and law enforcement swiftly issued mandatory evacuation orders for the Pheasant Run Community, the southern section of Barnegat Pines south of Lakeside Drive South, and portions of Forked River, a neighborhood where the fire jumped Route 9, intensifying evacuation needs. Additional areas such as Beach Boulevard, Clune Park, South River Drive, Sandy Hook Drive, and Orlando Drive were also cleared out.

To support displaced residents, emergency shelters were established at Manchester Township High School and Southern Regional High School, both accommodating evacuees and their pets. Law enforcement in Barnegat, Ocean, and Stafford Townships provided real-time updates via social media, urging residents to comply with evacuation orders for their safety.

Voluntary evacuation notices were extended to additional neighborhoods, including Windward, Mirage, Heritage Point North, Brookville, and all homes along West Bay Avenue.

Smoke, Power Outages, and Transportation Disruptions

Thick plumes of smoke stretched across wide swaths of New Jersey, with visibility reduced as far south as Atlantic City and northward to Brick Township. Residents across the region reported heavy smoke and ash fall, raising health concerns particularly for vulnerable populations such as children, the elderly, and individuals with respiratory issues.

In an effort to safeguard emergency responders, JCP&L (Jersey Central Power & Light) preemptively shut down electricity to over 23,000 customers, including the de-energization of all lines connected to the Oyster Creek substation. The “forced outage” was executed at the request of the New Jersey Forest Fire Service to protect crews operating on the fire line.

Though the Oyster Creek Nuclear Generating Station—decommissioned in 2018—no longer produces energy, it still houses spent nuclear fuel on site. Officials reported a minor fire on the facility’s property, which was quickly extinguished. Holtec, the company that now owns the site, issued a statement reassuring the public that its “security personnel are maintaining continuous monitoring” to ensure safety and structural integrity of the site.

Garden State Parkway Closures Add to Chaos

The growing wildfire also forced a 17-mile closure of the Garden State Parkway, a major transportation artery. The closure extended from Exit 63 in Stafford Township to Exit 80 in South Toms River, significantly affecting commuter and evacuation traffic. Portions of the highway began to reopen by 9 p.m., but full reopening remained uncertain late Tuesday night, with the New Jersey Turnpike Authority offering no clear timetable.

In addition to the Parkway, various sections of Route 9 were also shut down, further complicating evacuation routes and emergency response access. The Ocean Township Police Department announced that the southbound Parkway remained open for evacuation traffic at Exit 69, while local departments coordinated re-routes and public safety alerts.

Firefighting Tactics and Resources Deployed

The New Jersey Forest Fire Service has committed extensive resources to combat the Jones Road blaze. Firefighting operations include backburning (or backfiring) operations — a technique used to control wildfires by burning potential fuel in the fire’s path. These controlled burns help contain the blaze by removing the materials it needs to advance.

Aerial firefighting support has also been deployed. A 600-gallon water-dropping air tanker and a 300-gallon capacity helicopter have been flying sorties throughout the day and evening, delivering targeted suppression along key perimeters of the fire. Ground crews continue cutting fire lines and deploying containment barriers to hold the fire back from additional neighborhoods.

Weather Conditions Fuel the Flames

Weather has played a critical role in the rapid spread of the fire. The National Weather Service issued alerts early Tuesday, citing wind gusts of up to 25 mph and continued drought conditions throughout Ocean County. These dry and breezy conditions are expected to persist into Wednesday, raising concerns that the fire could expand unless fully contained overnight.

As of late Tuesday, there were no injuries reported, but officials have warned that the situation remains dynamic and dangerous. The New Jersey Forest Fire Service confirmed that an incident update would be released at 10 p.m., with more detailed information on containment status and emergency instructions.

Ongoing Investigation

The cause of the Jones Road Forest Fire remains under investigation, with officials exploring both natural and human-related possibilities. No details have been released about potential ignition sources.

Given the scale of destruction and continued threat to life and property, New Jersey authorities are urging residents to remain alert, follow evacuation protocols, and check in on neighbors, especially those with limited mobility or health concerns.