Latest news with #NJFFS
Yahoo
20-05-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
Massive NJ wildfire that forced thousands to flee inferno could be state's largest in decades
New Jersey firefighters are still battling a massive blaze in the southern part of the state, which officials say could wind up being the largest wildfire in the Garden State in the last 20 years. The Jones Road Wildfire — which broke out Tuesday morning in Lacey and Ocean townships in Ocean County — now stands at 13,500 acres (21 square miles) burned and has been 50% contained, New Jersey Forest Fire Service said Wednesday evening. Evacuation orders have been entirely lifted for the 5,000 Lacey and Ocean Township residents, with zero injuries being reported as a result of the inferno, the agency reported. Multiple buildings and vehicles have been destroyed, but the massive conflagration is known to have only destroyed one commercial building thus far, NJFFS said. Both the Garden State Parkway and Route 9 have been reopened in both directions, according to officials. Road closures remain in effect for parts of Route 532, Bryant Road and Jones Road, NJFFS added. Air quality warning issued for NYC and Long Island as wildfire in NJ spreads to more than 13K acres Massive NJ wildfire that forced thousands to flee inferno could be state's largest in decades Evacuation orders lifted after fast-moving NJ wildfire shuts down major highway, prompts thousands to leave NJ wildfire prompts evacuation orders for thousands as blaze explodes in size, closes part of Garden State Parkway 19-year-old Joseph Kling appears in court, charged with arson for allegedly sparking massive NJ wildfire Power has been restored by Jersey Central Power & Light after the energy company cut electricity to 25,000 Garden Staters to protect firefighters in the field, the company said in a statement posted to Facebook. Officials estimate the fire might not be completely extinguished until at least Saturday, based on its current containment level and upcoming weather patterns in the area, which had been under a severe drought until recently. 'We expect that number to grow, that ultimately we will see a greater number of acres affected,' New Jersey Forest Fire Service Commissioner Shawn LaTourette said, noting that the cause of the fire is still under investigation. No residential structures have been burned, though over the course of fighting the fire some 1,300 were threatened. Helicopters were dropping water on hotspots throughout Wednesday, the Forest Service said, adding that 'burnout operations are improving and strengthening containment lines.' Bill Donnelly, chief of the New Jersey Forest Fire Service, pointed out the significant uptick in wildfire activity this year compared to 2024. 'This time last year, we were at 310 wildfires for a total of 315 acres burned,' Donnelly said. 'This year for the same period we're at 662 wildfires with 16,572 acres [26 square miles] burned.' Donnelly also noted that a fire in Vineland in Cumberland County that ignited over the weekend currently stands at 1,327 acres (2 square miles) burned and has been 80% contained. The Jones Road Wildfire forced thousands of residents to evacuate their homes and wound up closing down a 17-mile stretch of the Garden State Parkway, Route 9, Route 532, Lakeside Drive, Jones Road, Bryant Road and Route 72, according to the state forest fire agency.
CBS News
12-05-2025
- CBS News
Jones Road fire in Ocean County, New Jersey, is 100% contained, officials say
The Jones Road wildfire in Ocean County is 100% contained, the New Jersey Forest Fire Service announced Monday afternoon. As of 2 p.m., the service said the 15,300-acre fire burning in Ocean and Lacey townships was contained. The fire started on April 22 at the Greenwood Forest Wildlife Management Area. Thousands were evacuated because of the fire late last month, and at least one business lost a facility. At its height, the blaze also caused some road closures and power outages. Two people — 19-year-old Joseph Kling of Waretown, New Jersey, and a 17-year-old who has not been identified — have been charged with starting the blaze. Kling faces arson and aggravated arson charges. Authorities said the 17-year-old helped Kling start a bonfire with wooden pallets, and then both left the area without properly extinguishing the fire. Members of the NJFFS, the Major Crime Unit-Arson Squad in the Ocean County prosecutor's office and the New Jersey State Fire Marshal's Office investigated with GPS and found the wildfire began at the site of the bonfire. Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer also alleged the younger teen "gave misinformation to law enforcement about how the fire started," according to a news release. Meanwhile, the NJFFS is warning residents about a scam targeting Ocean and Lacey township residents affected by the fire. Officials say scammers are going door to door claiming they can remove the smell of smoke from homes for $30,000, which they say can be reimbursed through FEMA. Officials say FEMA has not issued a disaster declaration for this fire and urge residents to report suspicious activity to police.
Yahoo
23-04-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
NJ wildfire burns nearly 12K acres; evacuation orders lifted in Ocean County
The Brief A wildfire burning in Ocean County, NJ has consumed nearly 12,000 acres, officials said. As of the New Jersey Forest Fire Service's last update, the wildfire was 30% contained. Evacuation orders were lifted in Lacey Township and Ocean Township. NEW JERSEY - A fast-moving wildfire burning in Ocean County, New Jersey has consumed nearly 12,000 acres and forced thousands of people to evacuate, though that order has since been lifted. NJ WILDFIRE UPDATE: ROADS AFFECTED l GSP TRAFFIC l MAP l AIR QUALITY The Jones Road Wildfire sparked on Tuesday in the Greenwood Forest Wildlife Management Area near Barnegat Township and quickly began to grow in size. What we know As of the New Jersey Forest Fire Service's (NJFFS) last updateon Wednesday, just before 11 a.m., the wildfire had consumed 11,500 acres and was 30% contained. Around 20 structures were threatened. Evacuation orders were lifted in Lacey Township and Ocean Township. Meanwhile, acting NJ Gov. Tahesha Way has declared a state of emergency in response to the wildfire. "I am declaring a State of Emergency in Ocean County due to the Jones Road Wildfire in the Greenwood Forest Wildfire Management Area near Lacey, Ocean, and Barnegat Townships," Way said in a post on X. The Garden State Parkway was closed in both directions between exits 63 and 80, but has since reopened Wednesday morning. Click HERE to open the embedded map in your browser. On Tuesday, dark smoke and ash were observed blowing across the parkway in surrounding Ocean County communities to the north and east, including Toms River, and closer to the beach in Seaside Heights. Forest Fire Service fire engines, bulldozers and ground crews, as well as numerous local fire, rescue, county and state agencies were called in to help extinguish the wildfire. What we don't know The cause of the wildfire was unknown at the time. Drought levels in Ocean County are abnormally dry to moderate, according to the U.S. Drought Monitor, but have been worsening over the past week. Nearly 80% of the Garden State is facing some level of drought. As of Wednesday morning, Jersey Central Power and Light reports that over 25,000 customers are without power. Officials say power was preemptively shut off to prevent further risk from arcing lines. The status of the grid near the Oyster Creek nuclear facility is currently unknown. AirNow has an interactive Fire and Smoke Map for updates on blazes in your area. The National Interagency Fire Center has also partnered with NASA to provide real-time interactive fire maps. This map from shows the current air quality. Click HERE if you're having trouble viewing the embedded map.
Time of India
23-04-2025
- Climate
- Time of India
Wildfire in New Jersey rages on, 3,000 displaced as only 10% fire contained
A wildfire exploding in size near the New Jersey shore caused officials to order thousands to evacuate and close a miles-long stretch of the state's busiest highway as dark smoke poured into the Jersey Shore region. The Jones Road Wildfire sparked on April 22 in the Greenwood Forest Wildlife Management Area near Barnegat Township in Ocean County. It had consumed 8,500 acres and was only 10% contained by then. Some 3,000 people were told to evacuate as the fire so far is threatening over 1,300 homes and structures, according to the New Jersey Forest Fire Service. There were no official specific reports of damage but the NJFFS reported that 'damage assessments were underway.' Evacuations stretch along portions of Highways 532, 539, 72 and 9 and multiple shelters have been established for those fleeing the flames. Additional voluntary evacuations are in place for several areas of Barnegat Township. Show more Show less
CBS News
18-04-2025
- Climate
- CBS News
New Jersey Forest Fire Service crews battle wildfire in Vineland
Firefighters are working to extinguish a wildfire burning in Vineland, New Jersey, as of Friday afternoon. The New Jersey Forest Fire Service said the wildfire burning in the Peaslee Wildlife Management Area in Cumberland County was spotted by the Belleplain Fire Tower just before 12:30 p.m. Friday. So far, the fire has burned 20 acres and is 0% contained. While Union Road is closed between Route 49 and Mays Landing Road, according to the NJFFS, no structures are currently threatened by the wildfire's blaze. Chopper 3 was over the Peaslee Wildlife Management Area Friday afternoon, where thick clouds of smoke billowed and flames continued to build. NJFFS officials said fire engines, bulldozers and ground crews are all working on the firefight. The NJFFS also has a helicopter capable of dropping 300 gallons of water, as well as a contact air tanker, which can drop 600 gallons of water, that have been deployed to battle the blaze. The cause of the fire is still under investigation.
