Massive NJ Wildfire Threatens Shuttered Nuclear Plant
A fast-moving wildfire in southern New Jersey has scorched over 11,500 acres, forcing thousands of evacuations and threatening the decommissioned Oyster Creek nuclear power plant. The Jones Road Wildfire, which ignited Tuesday morning in the Greenwood Forest Wildlife Management Area of Ocean County, exploded in size due to strong 25 mph gusts and drought conditions that have plagued the region.
Fire officials reported Wednesday morning that the blaze was 30% contained as evacuation orders were lifted for affected communities and previously closed sections of the Garden State Parkway reopened. Acting New Jersey Governor Tahesha Way declared a state of emergency for Ocean County, noting that while no homes had been damaged, the fire had reached buildings on the campus of the shuttered Oyster Creek nuclear power plant.
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“Biggest Wildfire in 20 Years”
New Jersey Environmental Protection Commissioner Shawn M. LaTourette warned this could become the state’s largest wildfire in two decades. “Thanks to the incredible, heroic work of the good men and women of our New Jersey Forest Fire Service, folks’ homes and lives have been saved and we’ve truly averted a major disaster,” LaTourette told NBC News.
Despite progress in containment, officials cautioned that the fire is expected to burn for several more days, though its spread would likely be limited to unpopulated areas. The improved weather conditions Wednesday, including lighter winds and cooler temperatures, have given firefighters a better chance to combat the flames after Tuesday’s challenging conditions.
Power Outages and Industrial Damage
More than 25,000 homes and businesses remained without electricity Wednesday morning after Jersey Central Power and Light proactively de-energized power lines at the request of fire officials. “This is for the safety of crews battling the fire,” the utility company explained in a statement reported by The Guardian.
While residential areas have largely been spared, several businesses in an industrial park in Lacey Township have sustained damage. Ocean County Undersheriff Jon Lombardi confirmed that commercial buildings and multiple outbuildings were destroyed, though a complete damage assessment is still underway.
Residents Describe “War Zone” Conditions
The rapidly spreading flames created chaotic scenes for local residents forced to evacuate on short notice. Debi Schaffer, who evacuated with her two dogs while her husband stayed behind with their 22 chickens, described the area around her Waretown house as “like a war zone,” with smoke, sirens, and helicopters creating an apocalyptic atmosphere.
Giana Nicholas, another evacuee, told local media that conditions deteriorated quickly. “Eventually as the night went on, smoke flooded the streets,” she said, according to CNN.
Smoke Impact Expected to Widen
The environmental impact of the fire extends well beyond the immediate burn area. Air quality warnings remain in effect as thick black smoke continues to billow from the wildfire. Meteorologists predict that a 180-degree wind shift on Wednesday afternoon will push smoke northward toward the New York City metropolitan area by Wednesday night, potentially affecting millions more residents.
The Jones Road Wildfire has already surpassed New Jersey’s yearly average of 7,000 acres burned in forest fires. The blaze comes as the state is under an official drought warning, with “well-below average precipitation throughout the winter” creating ideal conditions for fire spread.
While wildfires of this magnitude are less common in New Jersey than in western states, the region has seen increasing fire activity in recent years. This current blaze marks the second major forest fire in the region in less than a week, highlighting growing concerns about wildfire risks in the densely populated Eastern Seaboard.
As containment efforts continue, authorities remain vigilant, with hundreds of firefighters working to protect structures and prevent further spread into populated areas.
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