Massive NJ wildfire that forced thousands to flee inferno could be state’s largest in decades

New Jersey firefighters are still battling a monolithic blaze successful nan confederate portion of nan state, which officials opportunity could upwind up being nan largest wildfire successful nan Garden State successful nan past 20 years.

The Jones Road Wildfire — which collapsed retired Tuesday morning in Lacey and Ocean townships successful Ocean County — stands astatine 11,500 acres burned and has been 30% contained, New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection Commissioner Shawn LaTourette told reporters Wednesday.

Officials estimate nan occurrence mightiness not beryllium wholly extinguished until astatine slightest Saturday, based connected nan fire’s existent containment level and upcoming upwind patterns successful nan area, which had been nether a terrible drought until recently.

“We expect that number to grow, that yet we will spot a greater number of acres affected,” LaTourette said, noting that nan origin of nan occurrence is still nether investigation.

No residential structures person been burned, though complete nan people of fighting nan occurrence immoderate 1,300 were threatened.

Bill Donnelly, Chief of nan New Jersey Forest Fire Service, pointed retired nan important uptick successful wildfire activity this twelvemonth compared to 2024.

“This clip past year, we were astatine 310 wildfires for a full of 315 acres burned,” Donnelly said. “This twelvemonth for nan aforesaid play we’re astatine 662 wildfires pinch 16,572 acres burned.”

Donnelly besides noted that a occurrence successful Vineland successful Cumberland County which ignited complete nan play presently stands astatine 1,327 acres burned and has been 80% contained.

The Jones Road Wildfire forced thousands of residents to evacuate their homes and coiled up closing down a 17-mile agelong of nan Garden State Parkway, Route 9, Route 532, Lakeside Drive, Jones Road, Bryant Road and Route 72, according to nan authorities wood occurrence agency.

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