Latest news with #JonesRoadFire
Malaysian Reserve
08-05-2025
- Business
- Malaysian Reserve
FirstEnergy Foundation Donates $25,000 to American Red Cross
Donation in New Jersey region follows Red Cross response to Ocean County wildfire HOLMDEL, N.J., May 8, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — The FirstEnergy Foundation has donated $25,000 to the American Red Cross to support its efforts to offer disaster assistance to families living in communities served by FirstEnergy Corp. (NYSE: FE) electric company Jersey Central Power & Light (JCP&L). The donation comes after the Red Cross provided aid to some of the 5,000 residents who evacuated due to the Jones Road Wildfire, which burned through more than 15,000 acres in parts of JCP&L's Ocean County territory in April. Doug Mokoid, FirstEnergy's President, New Jersey: 'When our crews respond to disasters, both in our territory or as part of mutual aid, it is the American Red Cross that is routinely there, providing the support that sustains communities in the immediate aftermath. Last month's wildfire burned close to home for many of our customers and employees, and once again, the Red Cross stepped up when people needed them most.' The fast-moving fire threatened more than 1,300 structures and put 3,000 residents in Ocean and Lacey townships under mandatory evacuation orders. Thousands more heeded voluntary orders to find safer ground. JCP&L temporarily shut off power to more than 25,000 customers in the area at the request of the fire's command post for the safety of firefighters. Kim Goetz, Executive Director of the American Red Cross New Jersey Region: 'When a quick moving wildfire forced thousands of people to evacuate their Ocean County homes in New Jersey, the Red Cross was there, working with partners to provide temporary shelter, care, comfort and meals to more than 300 people who had no place to go. Our volunteers supported first responders and firefighters as they battled the Jones Road Fire, providing meals, snacks, coffee and other beverages. Without the selfless dedication of volunteers and supporters like the FirstEnergy Foundation, our work is not possible. We're grateful for this incredible donation, which enables the Red Cross to prepare for and respond to disasters big and small.' The FirstEnergy Foundation provides support to 501(c)(3) tax-exempt nonprofits, including health and human services agencies, educational organizations, cultural and arts programs and institutions, and civic groups in areas served by FirstEnergy's electric operating companies and in areas where the company conducts business. JCP&L serves 1.1 million customers in the counties of Burlington, Essex, Hunterdon, Mercer, Middlesex, Monmouth, Morris, Ocean, Passaic, Somerset, Sussex, Union and Warren. Follow JCP&L on X @JCP_L, on Facebook at or online at FirstEnergy is dedicated to integrity, safety, reliability and operational excellence. Its electric distribution companies form one of the nation's largest investor-owned electric systems, serving more than six million customers in Ohio, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, West Virginia, Maryland and New York. The company's transmission subsidiaries operate approximately 24,000 miles of transmission lines that connect the Midwest and Mid-Atlantic regions. Follow FirstEnergy on X @FirstEnergyCorp or online at
Yahoo
02-05-2025
- Yahoo
Second teen arrested in connection with one of the largest wildfires in New Jersey history
OCEAN COUNTY, N.J. — A second teen has been arrested and charged with arson, accused of helping set fire to the wooden pallets that Ocean County, New Jersey prosecutors say sparked the Jones Road Fire – one of the largest wildfires in the state's history. County prosecutors charged a 17-year-old boy with aggravated arson. As a minor, his name has not been released. The Jones Road Fire began on April 22 and scorched 15,300 acres, destroying several outbuildings and a commercial building, according to New Jersey's Forest Fire Service. The fire is currently 75% contained. What's The Difference Between A 'Controlled' Fire And A 'Contained' Fire? In a news release, prosecutors accused the 17-year-old of helping 19-year-old Joseph Kling of Waretown, New Jersey. Kling was arrested on April 23 for allegedly setting wood pallets on fire in a county wilderness area and leaving the scene without properly putting out the fire. Prosecutors said investigators used GPS to pinpoint the start of the fire and determined that it was caused by "an improperly extinguished bonfire." The Jones Road Fire prompted at least 5,000 people to be evacuated and shut down part of the Garden State Parkway, one of New Jersey's busiest highways, at the height of the flames. The fire was fueled by strong gusty winds and low humidity. The U.S. Drought Monitor showed that large parts of New Jersey remain in abnormally dry or moderate drought conditions. New Jersey Wildfire: Dramatic Videos, Photos Reveal Fearsome Nature Of Fast-moving Flames Kling is being held in county jail pending a detention hearing. The 17-year-old is the county's juvenile detention center. The 17-year-old is also facing charges of arson and hindering article source: Second teen arrested in connection with one of the largest wildfires in New Jersey history
Yahoo
26-04-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
Dynamic weather pattern to bring rain for some in Northeast, but increase fire risk for others
A changeable weather pattern will bring rounds of rain and temperature swings to the Northeast for the final days of April and the first few of May. The series of storms and cold fronts making for the topsy-turvy weather will not be equal opportunity, however, as parts of the region will miss out on meaningful rain and experience a continued risk for wildfires, warn AccuWeather meteorologists. The first round of rain in association with this dynamic pattern was moving through the Northeast this weekend. While localized downpours and even gusty winds can occur into Saturday night, the rain is much-needed, not just because it has been about two weeks since the last meaningful rain in parts of the area but because pollen has been building up much to the chagrin of allergy sufferers. A cold front moving through behind this area of rain will usher in a drier second half of the weekend, but it will also bring an enhanced risk for fires due in part to gusty winds. This cycle will repeat itself at least once more in the coming week, and it will come in the wake of recent major wildfires in the region. Gusty winds to lead to an elevated risk for fires into Monday A drier, cooler air mass will allow the masses to resume outdoor activities during the second half of the weekend in the Northeast, but it will bring its own problems, warn AccuWeather meteorologists. "Despite the rain Saturday, a fire threat will quickly return to parts of the Northeast and mid-Atlantic on Sunday," said AccuWeather Senior Meteorologist Dan Pydynowski. "This includes much of New Jersey and Pennsylvania, where there have been large fires recently." The Jones Road Fire, which has scorched over 15,000 acres in Ocean County, New Jersey, and is 60 percent contained, as of early this weekend, was one of those fires. Other large blazes occurred in central Pennsylvania. "Afternoon relative humidity values across much of the region can drop to around 30 percent Sunday," warned Pydynowski. "This lowering of the humidity, coupled with northwesterly wind gusts of 35 to 40 mph and plenty of sun will quickly dry out brush, grass, leaves, pine needles and other fine fuels which can cause any small fire to quickly spread out of control." Because of the enhanced risk, outdoor burning is not advised from eastern West Virginia and Virginia north to southern New England to end the weekend. Even something as benign as mowing the lawn or string trimming near metal edging can create sparks that can turn into infernos. While winds will be lighter by Monday, continued dry conditions will still keep the risk for fires elevated. More opportunities for rain, but also fires later in the week Following that round of dry weather that will last into the start of Tuesday for many, another front in association with rain and thunderstorms will arrive by Tuesday night and early Wednesday, say AccuWeather meteorologists. While this front can again bring locally heavy rain, and even a threat of severe weather for some, it will tend to lose energy and moisture as it approaches the Atlantic coast. Behind the front later Wednesday, another round of gusty winds and lower humidity levels can once again increase the risk for fires, especially in southern New England. Depending on the progress of another storm and front late in the week, it's possible there can be a third opportunity for fire danger in the region during the first weekend in the app? Unlock AccuWeather Alerts™ with Premium+ Despite the rounds of dry, gusty winds in the wake of storms and fronts, there will be some opportunities for much-needed rain in the region. According to the latest Drought Monitor released Thursday morning, severe drought conditions were still present in portions of Maryland, New Jersey, Pennsylvania and West Virginia, despite improvements seen in March and early April. Temperature swings and even a risk of frost for some this week? Accompanying the rounds of rain and then drier weather will be wild temperature swings, which will see the mercury rise into the 80s some days and then dive into the 60s the next in parts of the Northeast and mid-Atlantic. An initial cooldown to end the weekend will be replaced by a surge in temperature Tuesday afternoon, with the mercury rising well into the 80s as far north as New York City. As quickly as it warms, it will cool back down for the middle and end of the week. In addition, a late-season frost will be possible over the course of a couple of nights in the normally cooler enclaves of the interior Northeast, Sunday night, Wednesday night and perhaps again late in the upcoming weekend. Want next-level safety, ad-free? Unlock advanced, hyperlocal severe weather alerts when you subscribe to Premium+ on the AccuWeather app. AccuWeather Alerts™ are prompted by our expert meteorologists who monitor and analyze dangerous weather risks 24/7 to keep you and your family safer.
Yahoo
25-04-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
New Jersey fire weather danger spikes Friday as Jones Road Fire scorches over 15,000 acres
BARNEGAT, N.J.– Weather conditions in New Jersey on Friday are leading to an increased risk of rapid fire spread just as firefighters continue battling the 15,000-acre Jones Road wildfire. The National Weather Service issued a special weather statement for parts of New Jersey and Pennsylvania, warning that with current warm, dry, and breezy conditions in place, any fires could grow more quickly Friday afternoon. High temperatures will be in the mid-70s to 80s on Friday, with relative humidity forecast between 25-30% and wind gusts of 20 mph. "These conditions, along with the continued drying of fine fuels, could support the rapid spread of any fires that ignite, which could quickly become difficult to control," said NWS meteorologists in Mount Holly, New Jersey. It's unwelcome news for firefighters battling the Jones Road fire in Ocean County. The fire has already burned 15,300 acres, making it one of the 10 largest fires ever recorded in the state. A 19-year-old man from Waretown, New Jersey, is accused of arson after officials said he lit wooden pallets on fire Tuesday morning and left the area without ensuring the fire was fully out. Within hours, the fire spread to thousands of acres, prompting evacuation warnings for at least 5,000 people in Ocean County. Thankfully, no one was injured by the fire, and evacuation orders have since been lifted. Smoke from the wildfire filled New Jersey skies on Wednesday, before spreading north into New York City on Thursday morning, prompting air quality alerts. New Jersey Man Faces Arson Charges In Connection With Jones Road Wildfire That Has Scorched Over 15,000 Acres Air quality has returned to normal in New Jersey and New York, according to The weather does change for the better over the weekend for firefighters as an area of low pressure moves into the Northeast on Saturday, bringing rain and possibly helping put out some of the flames. "Any little bit is going to help," said FOX Weather Meteorologist Marissa Torres. Meanwhile, firefighters are making good progress on the fire, which was 60% contained as of Friday article source: New Jersey fire weather danger spikes Friday as Jones Road Fire scorches over 15,000 acres
25-04-2025
Teenager charged with arson in New Jersey wildfire
A 19-year-old is facing charges after he allegedly set a bonfire and walked away leaving it to burn, causing the massive Jones Road Fire.
