8,500-acre fire burns in Shore area; Garden State Parkway reopens for traffic.

In response to a significant wildfire burning in Ocean County, New Jersey, Acting Governor Tahesha Way declared a state of emergency on Wednesday morning. The fire, known locally as the Jones Road Fire, erupted in the Greenwood Forest Wildlife Management Area, a critical ecological zone within the state’s Pinelands and not far from the coastal region.

The wildfire has experienced rapid growth, incinerating an estimated 8,500 acres and posing an imminent threat to more than 1,000 structures. Approximately 3,000 residents were compelled to evacuate due to the fire’s proximity, with power outages affecting over 25,000 homes in the vicinity. In her statement, Acting Governor Way emphasized the importance of safety protocols and urged residents to remain alert and follow official updates regarding the evolving situation.

As New Jersey’s Lieutenant Governor, Way assumes the role of acting governor when Governor Phil Murphy is not available. The declaration of a state of emergency empowers state officials to implement immediate emergency plans, coordinate recovery operations, facilitate traffic rerouting, and mobilize essential resources to combat the blaze. According to officials in Lacey Township, key thoroughfares, including road sections of the Garden State Parkway and Route 9, have been reopened for public use.

At present, an estimated 1,320 buildings remain at risk from the Jones Road Fire, which began unleashing destruction on a Monday targeted at the Greenwood Forest Wildlife Management Area. This area, overseen by the New Jersey Division of Fish and Wildlife, encompasses 32,253 acres of predominantly wooded terrain. The fire, located approximately six miles west of Forked River, has made significant strides in encroaching upon nearby residential developments, having been reported as only 10% contained by late Tuesday evening.

Firefighters continue to engage the blaze, which has notably expanded from its initial 150-acre outbreak, necessitating the establishment of emergency shelters for displaced residents. Southern Regional High School temporarily served as one of these shelters, particularly for evacuees with pets, who were allowed to return home by Tuesday morning.

As conditions evolve, the New Jersey Forest Fire Service is expected to provide further updates on the fire’s status and other relevant developments. The timing of the Jones Road Fire coincides with what is typically considered the peak wildfire season in New Jersey’s Pinelands, underscoring the critical need for continued vigilance in wildfire management.

The Greenwood Wildlife Management Area is recognized as the largest preserved tract of land under the New Jersey Division of Fish and Wildlife. This area features a diverse range of ecosystems, including elevated regions covered by pine and oak trees, as well as lower wetland areas dominated by pines and Atlantic white cedar bogs. The management area serves as a habitat for various wildlife, including the barred owl, a species identified as threatened.

This situation remains fluid, and updates will be provided as new information becomes available.

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