Massive Wildfire Threatens Communities in Southern Ocean County, New Jersey

WARETOWN, New Jersey — A major wildfire in southern Ocean County, known as the Jones Road wildfire, has consumed more than 8,500 acres as of Tuesday evening, forcing the evacuation of around 3,000 residents and threatening numerous structures.

The fire started in the Pine Barrens near the Barnegat-Waretown municipal boundary shortly after 10 a.m. Tuesday and has been rapidly spreading north into Lacey. As flames encroached upon grassy areas near the Garden State Parkway, officials closed the road in the affected area.

More than 23,000 customers of Jersey Central Power & Light have lost power due to safety measures taken by the electric company at the request of the Forest Service. The New Jersey Forest Fire Service reported that the wildfire is only 10 percent contained as of late Tuesday night.

Lacey Mayor Peter Curatola confirmed that three structures in the township’s industrial park sustained damage from the fire, with one building completely destroyed. Residents have reported seeing alarming flames and smoke throughout the day, prompting many to evacuate.

Dawn Kramer, a Lacey resident, described her fright as she watched the fire spread. “It wasn’t bad until I saw the flames. Then it got real,” she said. Kramer gathered her essential belongings, her daughter, and her pets before fleeing to her mother’s house in Little Egg Harbor.

Mayor Curatola urged residents to heed the advice of emergency services, noting that conditions could change quickly with shifting winds. “What we have now is really fluid,” he said, indicating the potential for more evacuations if the winds shift.

Due to the fire’s rapid growth, multiple evacuation centers have been set up, including Manchester High School and Southern Regional High School, which welcomes evacuees with pets.

Emergency responders are using a combination of ground crews, bulldozers, and aircraft to combat the fire. A helicopter can drop up to 300 gallons of water, while an air tanker can deliver 600 gallons as they work to gain control of the situation.

The cause of the wildfire remains under investigation. The Forest Fire Service has categorized it as a major wildfire as it exceeded 100 acres in size.