Ocean County Wildfire Still Rages
Portion of Garden State Parkway Reopens
Firefighters in southern New Jersey continue to battle a massive wildfire that has scorched more than 12,000 acres since Tuesday, prompting widespread evacuations, damaging structures, and briefly shutting down a key stretch of the Garden State Parkway.
As of Wednesday afternoon, the fire is 40% contained, officials say.
The blaze began Tuesday morning in the Greenwood Forest Wildlife Management Area in Ocean County.
The exact cause remains under investigation – which forced more than 5,000 residents to evacuate from parts of Lacey and Ocean townships. These orders were lifted Wednesday morning as weather conditions improved.
A state of emergency for Ocean County, confirming that there have been no reported fatalities or damage to homes.
Fire Could Become Largest in 2 Decades
Officials warn the fire is still growing and could become the largest New Jersey wildfire in two decades. So far, it has destroyed one commercial building and damaged several outbuildings and vehicles, but no homes have been lost. Crews continue to fight to contain the flames, while a previously closed section of the Garden State Parkway reopened early Wednesday, restoring the major transportation route for the state.
Power, Smoke, and Public Health Concerns
To protect firefighters and residents, some power lines were deactivated Tuesday night, affecting around 25,000 Jersey Central Power and Light customers. Most had power restored by late Wednesday. Heavy smoke blanketed the region Tuesday, prompting a public health advisory and impacting air quality.
Drought Conditions Contribute to the Fire Risk
The wildfire came as New Jersey remains under a drought warning, following a winter of significantly below-average rainfall. The state typically sees about 7,000 acres burned annually—Tuesday’s wildfire has already nearly doubled that figure.
Weekend Rain Could Bring Relief
While the gusty winds of 15 to 25 mph on Tuesday helped to spread the flames – lighter winds between 5 and 10 mph are expected for the rest of the week. Ther are showers forecasted to begin late Friday and continue through Saturday, offering hope for further control.