A State of Emergency has been declared in Ocean County, New Jersey, as the “Jones Road Wildfire” continues to spread. The fire, which ignited on Tuesday night at the Greenwood Forest Wildlife Management Area in Barnegat Township, has burned approximately 8,500 acres and prompted evacuations in impacted areas.
Acting Governor Tahesha Way provided updates via social media, emphasizing that no fatalities or damage to homes have been reported thus far. Meanwhile, Governor Phil Murphy is currently in Poland but is being kept informed about the situation.
As of Wednesday morning, all evacuation orders have been lifted, and major roads including the Garden State Parkway and Route 9 have reopened to traffic.
A press conference is scheduled for 11 a.m. on Wednesday to provide further updates on the ongoing firefighting efforts. Fire officials indicate that the blaze has consumed more than 13 square miles of land and is currently only 10% contained.A State of Emergency has been declared in Ocean County as a large wildfire continues to burn in New Jersey. According to Acting Governor Tahesha Way, the fire, which started on Tuesday night, has consumed thousands of acres and prompted some residents to evacuate their homes. Governor Phil Murphy is currently in Poland, and Way shared updates on social media, noting that there have been no reported fatalities or damage to homes.
As of Wednesday morning, all evacuation orders have been lifted, and both the Garden State Parkway and Route 9 have reopened to traffic.
A press conference regarding the fire is scheduled for 11 a.m. on Wednesday.
The wildfire, named the “Jones Road Wildfire,” was first reported Tuesday afternoon at the Greenwood Forest Wildlife Management Area in Barnegat Township. By Tuesday evening, the flames had spread into both Ocean and Lacey townships. In an update just before 11 p.m., the New Jersey Forest Fire Service reported that the blaze had grown to 8,500 acres with only 10% containment.
The fire has burned more than 13 square miles (34 square kilometers) of land, according to fire officials.
