A major wildfire in southern New Jersey’s Ocean County expanded last night, leading to the evacuation of 5,000 people and threats to more than 1,320 structures.
The New Jersey Forest Fire Service reported last night at 10 p.m. that about 8,500 acres had burned and the fire was only 10% contained.
By 11 a.m. today, evacuation orders had been lifted, about 11,500 acres had burned, and the wildfire was 30% contained, according to a fire service update.
No injuries have been reported. About 20 structures are now threatened and one commercial building has been destroyed. Several outbuildings and vehicles have been damaged.
The fire caused closure of several roadways, including a stretch of the Garden State Parkway, but that was reopened today.
More than 25,000 residents have lost power.
With Gov. Phil Murphy out of the state, Acting Governor Tahesha Way declared a state of emergency effective at 7:00 a.m. today April 23, in response to the wildfire.
The Jones Road wildfire began Tuesday in the Pine Barrens area in Barnegat township and then moved north into Lacey.
Forest Fire Service firefighters and local fire, rescue, county and other state responders are battling the blaze.
The cause of the blaze is under investigation.
On average, about 1,500 wildfires damage or destroy 7,000 acres of New Jersey’s forests each year, according to the forest service.
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