Latest news with #LaTourette
Yahoo
24-04-2025
- Yahoo
19-year-old charged in connection with massive New Jersey wildfire
A 19-year-old from Ocean Township, New Jersey, is accused of starting a massive wildfire that prompted thousands of evacuations, burned around 15,000 acres and destroyed a commercial building. Joseph Kling was arrested and charged with aggravated arson and arson, the Ocean County Prosecutor's Office said Thursday. The fire, named the Jones Road Wildfire, erupted Tuesday in Waretown and has spread throughout the southern Ocean County area. Prosecutors accused Kling of setting wooden pallets on fire and then leaving the area without ensuring that the fire was fully extinguished. As of Thursday morning, it was 50% contained. There have been no reports of deaths or loss of homes. The Cedar Bridge Fire Tower located a plume of smoke coming from the area of Jones Road and Bryant Road in Ocean Township just before 10 a.m. on Tuesday. Emergency personnel observed a fire within the Ocean County Natural Lands Trust's Forked River Mountains Wilderness Area. The cause of the fire was determined to be incendiary by an improperly extinguished bonfire, the prosecutor's office said in a news release. Kling is being held at the Ocean County jail pending a detention hearing. The inferno has burned about 15,000 acres in Ocean and Lacey Townships, New Jersey Forest Fire Service said Thursday morning in an update on Facebook. Eight structures have been threatened, and one commercial building was destroyed. About 5,000 residents were evacuated, but evacuations have since been lifted. On Wednesday, acting New Jersey Gov. Tahesha Way declared a state of emergency. Fire officials and Shawn M. LaTourette, state commissioner of environmental protection, have said that the fire is expected to burn for a couple more days. LaTourette said it could end up being the biggest wildfire in the state in 20 years. "Thanks to the incredible, heroic work of the good men and women of our New Jersey Forest Fire Service, folks' homes and lives have been saved and we've truly averted a major disaster," he said Wednesday. "Now, this wildfire is not under full and complete control. We still have a lot of work to do to achieve complete containment of the wildfire." This article was originally published on
NBC News
24-04-2025
- NBC News
19-year-old charged in connection with massive New Jersey wildfire
A 19-year-old from Ocean Township, New Jersey, is accused of starting a massive wildfire that prompted thousands of evacuations, burned around 15,000 acres, and destroyed a commercial building. Joseph Kling was arrested and charged with aggravated arson and arson, the Ocean County Prosecutor's Office said Thursday. The fire, named the Jones Road Wildfire, erupted Tuesday in Waretown and has spread throughout the southern Ocean County area. Prosecutors accused Kling of setting wooden pallets on fire and then leaving the area without ensuring that the fire was fully extinguished. As of Thursday morning, it was 50% contained. There have been no reports of deaths or loss of homes. The Cedar Bridge Fire Tower located a plume of smoke coming from the area of Jones Road and Bryant Road in Ocean Township just before 10 a.m. on Tuesday. Emergency personnel observed a fire within the Ocean County Natural Lands Trust's Forked River Mountains Wilderness Area. The cause of the fire was determined to be incendiary by an improperly extinguished bonfire, the prosecutor's office said in a news release. Kling is being held at the Ocean County jail pending a detention hearing. The inferno has burned about 15,000 acres in Ocean and Lacey Townships, New Jersey Forest Fire Service said in a Thursday morning update on Facebook. Eight structures have been threatened, and one commercial building was destroyed. About 5,000 residents were evacuated, but evacuations have since been lifted. On Wednesday, acting New Jersey Gov. Tahesha Way declared a state of emergency. Fire officials and Shawn M. LaTourette, state commissioner of environmental protection, have said that the fire is expected to burn for a couple more days. LaTourette said it could end up being the biggest wildfire in the state in 20 years. "Thanks to the incredible, heroic work of the good men and women of our New Jersey Forest Fire Service, folks' homes and lives have been saved and we've truly averted a major disaster," he said Wednesday. "Now, this wildfire is not under full and complete control. We still have a lot of work to do to achieve complete containment of the wildfire."
Yahoo
23-04-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
New Jersey faces biggest wildfire in 20 years as more than 11,000 acres burn. Here's what we know
A massive wildfire is still burning in New Jersey on Wednesday, covering more than 11,500 acres and prompting the evacuation of 5,000 people in what officials believe is the biggest blaze in recent memory. The Jones Road Wildfire began in the Greenwood Forest Wildlife Management area in Ocean County on Tuesday morning. By 10.30pm that night, the fire had consumed 8,500 acres, according to the New Jersey Forest Fire Service. Once the fire began, 25 mph winds fueled its growth and spread it around the region. As of Wednesday morning, acting New Jersey Governor Tahesha Way declared a state of emergency in response to the fire, as officials confirmed that 30 percent had been contained. Shawn LaTourette, the state's Commissioner of Environmental Protection, warned that the blaze could "very well end up being the biggest wildfire in New Jersey in 20 years." In an average year, approximately 7,000 acres of New Jersey's forests are consumed by fire. The Jones Road Wildfire blew past the yearly average in a day, CNN reports. Despite its size and intensity, LaTourette said the response of state workers has prevented a "major disaster." "Thanks to the incredible, heroic work of the good men and women of our New Jersey Forest Fire Service, folks' homes and lives have been saved and we've truly averted a major disaster," LaTourette said. "Now this wildfire is not under full and complete control. We still have a lot of work to do to achieve complete containment of the wildfire." Fire officials estimate that the blaze will continue to burn for a few more days and may spread, but likely in unpopulated parts of the state. Shortly after its rapid expansion, fire officials called for the evacuation of approximately 5,000 residents from Ocean and Lacey Townships in Ocean County. There inferno also threatened 1,320 structures, although no structural damage was reported in Ocean Township. Lacey Township did report some damage. All of the mandatory evacuation orders were lifted by 6:30am on Wednesday morning. The New Jersey Forest Service said one commercial building was destroyed, as well as multiple outbuildings and vehicles. A full damage assessment is now underway. More than 25,000 customers were without electricity Wednesday morning after officials turned it off to keep fire crews safe, NBC News reports. Jersey Central Power and Light said that its crews were cleared on Wednesday to assess its lines for fire damage. Once it has made sure its equipment is in working order, power should be restored to those still in the dark. Residents in Lacey Township should have their power restored by Wednesday afternoon, according to the company. Portions of the Garden State Parkway were closed due to the fire causing a major traffic slowdown, but have reopened as of early Wednesday morning. High fire risk conditions persisted in central and southern New Jersey on Wednesday. New Jersey is currently under an official drought warning, and is experiencing "well-below average precipitation throughout the winter" according to a state press release issued last month. In what is likely a relief to firefighters, winds this week are forecast to be slow — between 5 and 10 mph — which should help starve the blaze. Smoke from the fire is expected to impact areas southern New Jersey, which includes Atlantic City. By Wednesday night, shifting winds are expected to start blowing the Jersey smoke toward New York City.
The Independent
23-04-2025
- Climate
- The Independent
New Jersey faces biggest wildfire in 20 years as more than 11,000 acres burn. Here's what we know
A massive wildfire is still burning in New Jersey on Wednesday, covering more than 11,500 acres and prompting the evacuation of 5,000 people in what officials believe is the biggest blaze in recent memory. The Jones Road Wildfire began in the Greenwood Forest Wildlife Management area in Ocean County on Tuesday morning. By 10:30pm that night, the fire had consumed 8,500 acres, according to the New Jersey Forest Fire Service. Once the fire began, 25 mph winds fueled its growth and spread it around the region. As of Wednesday morning, acting New Jersey Governor Tahesha Way declared a state of emergency in response to the fire, as officials confirmed that 30 percent had been contained. Shawn LaTourette, the state's Commissioner of Environmental Protection, warned that the blaze could "very well end up being the biggest wildfire in New Jersey in 20 years." In an average year, approximately 7,000 acres of New Jersey's forests are consumed by fire. The Jones Road Wildfire blew past the yearly average in a day, CNN reports. Despite its size and intensity, LaTourette said the response of state workers has prevented a "major disaster." "Thanks to the incredible, heroic work of the good men and women of our New Jersey Forest Fire Service, folks' homes and lives have been saved and we've truly averted a major disaster," LaTourette said. "Now this wildfire is not under full and complete control. We still have a lot of work to do to achieve complete containment of the wildfire." Fire officials estimate that the blaze will continue to burn for a few more days and may spread, but likely in unpopulated parts of the state. Shortly after its rapid expansion, fire officials called for the evacuation of approximately 5,000 residents from Ocean and Lacey Townships in Ocean County. There inferno also threatened 1,320 structures, although no structural damage was reported in Ocean Township. Lacey Township did report some damage. All of the mandatory evacuation orders were lifted by 6:30am on Wednesday morning. The New Jersey Forest Service said one commercial building was destroyed, as well as multiple outbuildings and vehicles. A full damage assessment is now underway. More than 25,000 customers were without electricity Wednesday morning after officials turned it off to keep fire crews safe, NBC News reports. Jersey Central Power and Light said that its crews were cleared on Wednesday to assess its lines for fire damage. Once it has made sure its equipment is in working order, power should be restored to those still in the dark. Residents in Lacey Township should have their power restored by Wednesday afternoon, according to the company. Portions of the Garden State Parkway were closed due to the fire causing a major traffic slowdown, but have reopened as of early Wednesday morning. High fire risk conditions persisted in central and southern New Jersey on Wednesday. New Jersey is currently under an official drought warning, and is experiencing "well-below average precipitation throughout the winter" according to a state press release issued last month. In what is likely a relief to firefighters, winds this week are forecast to be slow — between 5 and 10 mph — which should help starve the blaze. Smoke from the fire is expected to impact areas southern New Jersey, which includes Atlantic City. By Wednesday night, shifting winds are expected to start blowing the Jersey smoke toward New York City.
Newsweek
23-04-2025
- General
- Newsweek
Jones Wildfire Update: Officials Respond to Closed Nuclear Power Plant Risk
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. A wildfire in Ocean County, New Jersey, has officials closely monitoring the decommissioned Oyster Creek Nuclear Generating Station in Lacey Township. The Jones Road Forest Fire, advancing near the plant that still houses spent fuel, has led to evacuations and triggered round-the-clock oversight. The Context The proximity of a raging wildfire to a nuclear-related site, albeit decommissioned, raises safety and infrastructure concerns. Officials have said that even if a fire did reach where spent nuclear fuel is stored, there would be no danger. The fire has already prompted the closure of some major highways and the evacuation of several thousand people. A fire burns on Tuesday, April 22, 2025, near Waretown, New Jersey. A fire burns on Tuesday, April 22, 2025, near Waretown, New Jersey. Chris Szagola/Associated Press What To Know The wildfire, which has scorched over 8,500 acres, was only 10 percent contained as of Wednesday morning and evacuation orders had displaced approximately 3,000 residents, according to fire officials and local reports. Authorities reported that major highways, including portions of Route 9 and the Garden State Parkway, were closed due to the fire in Ocean County. The Oyster Creek Nuclear Generating Station is being monitored round the clock by security personnel, Patrick O'Brien, a spokesperson for Holtec, the company that owns the property, told NJ Advance Media. The site was closed in 2018 but still contains "spent fuel." "Spent fuel is still on-site, as with every nuclear plant in the country, but it is in harden(ed) cask systems that are built to withstand these types of extreme scenarios, including fire," O'Brien said. He said that on Tuesday embers from the fire were carried by the wind onto a small patch of grass located on the power plant's property, north of its buildings and structures. The fire near the nuclear facility was "completely and safely extinguished," according to O'Brien. According to O'Brien and Shawn M. LaTourette, Commissioner of the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection, even if flames were to reach the area where spent nuclear fuel is stored in secure casks, there would be no danger. O'Brien emphasized that all buildings at the Oyster Creek site are built to endure fires, while Mr. LaTourette added, "There is no threat to the security of the material in cask storage. Dry cask systems are engineered to withstand temperatures far beyond those of a wildfire." Local police have also warned residents about potential prolonged outages as utilities pre-emptively cut power to minimize risks. According to a service that tracks disruptions, some 25,500 customers were without power across the state as of Wednesday morning. What People Are Saying Patrick O'Brien, a spokesman for Holtec, said: "Oyster Creek Security Personnel are keeping careful round-the-clock watch on all of the site property to ensure protection from the current forest fire in Waretown." Lacey Township Police Department said on Facebook, Tuesday: "The evacuation orders will remain in effect throughout the night. Route 9 will remain closed for the foreseeable future as fire crews continue to work in that area. Traffic will be diverted through Route 539.... "Power is expected to remain out with no timetable for return." Barnegat Police Department said on Facebook, Tuesday: "We continue to monitor progress from the command post. The fire has generally moved out of our area and firefighters are working diligently to extinguish any remaining pockets. "The town remains without power and we ask that everyone please be patient and use extra caution throughout the night and as we head out in the morning." What Happens Next An update on the situation from the New Jersey Forest Fire Service is expected at 11 a.m. Wednesday.
