New Jersey Wildfire Grows to 13,250 Acres, Could Be State’s Largest in 20 Years
A massive New Jersey wildfire has rapidly spread across 13,250 acres, making it one of the largest fires the state has seen in nearly 20 years. The fire, which ignited Tuesday in Ocean County, has forced thousands of residents to evacuate as it threatens over 1,000 structures. Despite the flames’ explosive growth, firefighters are working tirelessly to gain control of the blaze.
The fire, which is currently only 50% contained, has prompted New Jersey’s officials to declare a state of emergency, freeing up resources to battle the wildfire. Experts believe that if it continues at this rate, it could become the largest wildfire in New Jersey since 2007, surpassing the Mullica River Fire that burned 13,500 acres.
Key Information on the New Jersey Wildfire
- Size of the Fire: As of Wednesday, the Jones Road Wildfire has grown to 13,250 acres.
- Evacuations: Thousands of residents were forced to evacuate as the flames threatened more than 1,000 structures.
- Damage: One commercial structure has been destroyed, and several cabins have sustained significant damage.
- Containment Efforts: Firefighters have managed to contain about 50% of the blaze, with over 100 people working both on the ground and from the air.
- Cause: The cause of the fire is still under investigation. The fire spread rapidly due to dry vegetation, high winds, and low humidity.
Shawn LaTourette, New Jersey’s Commissioner of Environmental Protection, praised the efforts of the state’s fire services in preventing the disaster from worsening. “Thanks to the heroic work of our firefighters, homes and lives have been saved,” LaTourette said. He also mentioned that, despite the challenging conditions, no injuries had been reported as of Wednesday.
How the Fire Spreads
The fire started Tuesday in Greenwood Forest and quickly grew out of control. It began as 10 to 20 acres but expanded to 8,500 acres overnight. By Wednesday, the fire jumped the Garden State Parkway and stopped traffic on one of the busiest highways in New Jersey. Now, it threatens 18 structures along County Route 532. Chief Bill Donnelly said strong winds are fanning the flames, making the fire harder to control. Still, he believes the crews can fully contain it by the weekend.
The wildfire forced many residents to evacuate without warning. Michael Ferrara evacuated and called the situation frightening. “The smoke filled my backyard. Everything turned black with ash,” he said. Kelly Mendoza also had to leave and shared how stressful it was to pack quickly. “What do you take – birth certificates, passports?” she asked.
New Jersey fire crews continue working to prevent more damage. As the Jones Road Wildfire grows, experts urge people to stay alert and follow evacuation orders. Firefighters push forward, but officials say rain is crucial to lower wildfire risks in the coming weeks.
More…
- https://abcnews.go.com/US/wildfire-new-jersey-explodes-8500-acres-residents-evacuated/story?id=121075913/
- https://www.cbsnews.com/philadelphia/video/wildfire-in-ocean-county-new-jersey-burns-13250-acres-cause-under-investigation/
- https://whyy.org/articles/ocean-county-wildfire-evacuation-closure-garden-state-parkway/