New York– A massive wildfire sweeping across southern New Jersey has prompted a state of emergency, forced thousands to evacuate, and disrupted major roadways, as nearly 11,500 acres have burned and dense smoke blankets the skies.
Acting New Jersey Governor Tahesha Way declared the state of emergency early Wednesday, emphasizing on social media that, despite the fire’s rapid spread, no fatalities or structural damage had been reported so far.
Dubbed the Jones Road Wildfire, the blaze erupted Tuesday afternoon in the Greenwood Forest Wildlife Management Area in Ocean County and quickly grew to 8,500 acres by the evening, according to the New Jersey Forest Fire Service.
Fanned by wind gusts reaching 25 miles per hour, the fire remained only 10 percent contained as of late Tuesday, threatening 1,320 buildings and prompting about 3,000 residents in Ocean and Lacey Townships to evacuate.
By 6:30 a.m. Wednesday, authorities lifted evacuation orders, but the fire’s impact lingered. More than 25,000 homes lost power after utility companies shut down lines to protect firefighting crews working in the area.
As of 11 a.m. Wednesday, the fire had scorched nearly 11,500 acres, threatened 20 structures, and continued to cause widespread power outages and traffic disruptions, including the closure of parts of the Garden State Parkway.
“We’ve truly averted a major disaster,” New Jersey Forest Fire Service Commissioner Shawn LaTourette said Wednesday morning. “This wildfire is not yet fully contained. There is still significant work to do. At the height of the blaze, 1,300 homes were at risk.”
LaTourette warned that the affected area could grow, noting, “This could very well end up being the largest wildfire in New Jersey in the last 20 years.” Persistent dry conditions across southern New Jersey have contributed to the fire’s rapid spread, though the exact cause remains under investigation.
Dramatic images and video showed thick smoke filling the skies over southern New Jersey, including Atlantic City. Forecasts predicted shifting winds would push smoke north toward New York City by Wednesday night, with Long Island and central New Jersey expected to experience air quality impacts by Thursday.
One area of heightened concern was the decommissioned Oyster Creek nuclear power plant, located within the mandatory evacuation zone. Although the plant ceased operations in 2018, spent nuclear fuel remains stored onsite in hardened casks designed to withstand severe events, including fires.
On Tuesday evening, a minor fire was reported on the Oyster Creek property but was quickly extinguished, according to a spokesperson speaking with NJ Advance Media.
Around 10 p.m. Tuesday, the Lacey Township Police Department issued an alert warning residents about uncertainty surrounding the power grid’s status near the plant. They advised residents to prepare for potentially extended outages due to damaged transformers and downed power lines.
Jersey Central Power & Light (JCPL) had preemptively cut power in the area to reduce the risk of fires igniting from electrical equipment.
Officials reassured the public that the spent nuclear fuel at Oyster Creek remains secure, with no immediate risk to public safety.
The wildfire’s continued growth and the broader environmental impact remain under close watch as containment efforts progress. (Source: IANS)
