New Jersey Wildfire Grows to 8,500 Acres as Evacuations and Power Outages Mount

The Jones Road Wildfire in New Jersey has rapidly expanded to 8,500 acres since its ignition on Tuesday afternoon, with containment still below 10% as of Wednesday morning. The fire has swept through parts of Ocean and Lacey Townships in Ocean County, fueled by dry conditions and gusty winds. Located just south of Toms River, the blaze has jumped the Garden State Parkway, one of New Jersey’s busiest highways, disrupting travel and forcing emergency responses in multiple directions.

Officials from the New Jersey Forest Fire Service are working to contain the wildfire as more than 3,000 residents have been evacuated and evacuation notices remain active. Over 1,000 structures are currently at risk, and while no injuries have been reported, emergency preparedness remains a high priority. A forced power outage has left an estimated 25,000 customers without electricity across the impacted region.

Weather conditions have made firefighting efforts more complex. Breezy winds from the north, gusting up to 20 mph, have contributed to the fire’s spread. Forecasters expect winds to ease by the afternoon, providing some relief for firefighting crews. However, the next potential for rain isn’t expected until Friday night, keeping fire danger elevated in the short term.

This wildfire serves as a stark reminder that even densely populated northeastern states like New Jersey are not immune to the growing frequency and severity of wildfires. Emergency officials continue to monitor the situation closely as response efforts intensify and residents await updates on when they can safely return home.