A New Jersey wildfire has sparked evacuation orders for thousands of residents as the blaze engulfed thousands of acres in a matter of hours.
The Context
New Jersey is recovering from a drought earlier this month, and according to recent data from the Department of Environmental Protection, most of the state is still suffering from “very dry” stream conditions.
This week has also seen a run of warm sunny days, with temperatures in the 70s all week. The combination of low humidity, warm temperatures and a slight breeze has put the area at an elevated wildfire risk but the National Weather Service has not yet issued a Red Flag warning.
What To Know
In an update around 8 p.m. Tuesday, more than 3,000 people have been evacuated as the Jones Road Wildfire has rapidly spread to consume more than 3,200 acres, with only 5 percent containment.
In a follow-up post by the New Jersey Forest Fire Service later Tuesday night on X, formerly Twitter, the flames had intensified to engulf 8,500 acres, with 10 percent containment.
The blaze began earlier Tuesday in the Greenwood Forest Wildlife Management Area before moving north to Waretown and Lacey, authorities said.
It is already threatening 1,320 structures and has caused the closure of a 17-mile stretch of the state’s busiest highway. The Barnegat Police Department confirmed that Jersey Central Power & Light have now cut power along the Garden State Parkway due to the wildfire.
The Garden State Parkway is also closed between Barnegat Road and Lacey Road, the New Jersey Forest Fire Service said in the thread on X.
More than 25,000 people in the state are without power, according to FindEnergy.com.
Thick, dark smoke could be seen billowing up from the wildfire on Tuesday night as locals shared “frightening footage” of the blaze on social media.
The cause of the fire is still under investigation.
Some frightening footage emerging from the Jones Road Wildfire, which is currently burning at the Greenwood Forest Wildlife Management Area in Barnegat Township, New Jersey.
The fire, which is 0% contained, has spread to nearly 1,500 acres in size and has forced evacuations. pic.twitter.com/m7RZ01XSsG
— Shlomo Schorr (@OneJerseySchorr) April 22, 2025
What People Are Saying
Shlomo Schorr, legislative director of Agudath Israel’s New Jersey office, said on X, “Some frightening footage emerging from the Jones Road Wildfire, which is currently burning at the Greenwood Forest Wildlife Management Area in Barnegat Township, New Jersey.”
CBS Meteorologist Grant Gilmore posted on X, “There is so much smoke/ash in the air that it’s showing up on the radar. The radar beam that is picking up on the smoke is nearly 2,000 ft above the ground. Meaning, that’s at least how high the smoke is.”
New Jersey Forest Fire Service said in a post on X, “WILDFIRE UPDATE: Jones Road Wildfire – Ocean & Lacey Townships, Ocean County New Jersey Forest Fire Service remains on scene of a wildfire burning in Ocean & Lacey Townships, Ocean County. SIZE & CONTAINMENT 🔥 3,200 acres 🔥 5% contained.”
What Happens Next
Rain is forecast later this week, which is expected to bring some relief to the region.
Update 4/22/25, 11:21 p.m. ET: This article has been updated with additional information.
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