Garden State Parkway Shuts as NJ Wildfire Explodes
A rapidly expanding wildfire in Ocean County has forced officials to close a significant stretch of the Garden State Parkway and order mandatory evacuations as flames threatened residential areas. The Jones Road Fire, which began Tuesday morning near the border of Barnegat and Waretown, has exploded to 1,200 acres by late afternoon with zero percent containment, creating a massive plume of dark smoke visible for miles across the Jersey Shore region.
Transportation officials have closed the Garden State Parkway in both directions between exits 62 and 80, a nearly 20-mile stretch of New Jersey’s primary north-south highway. The closure comes during the busy evening commute, creating significant traffic disruptions throughout the region as authorities battle to contain the blaze in the Greenwood Forest Wildlife Management Area.
Evacuation Orders Create Urgent Rush to Safety
Mandatory evacuations are underway for residents along Wells Mills Road (Route 532) from Bryant Road to the Garden State Parkway, with at least 16 structures directly threatened by the advancing flames. According to Fox Weather, all threatened structures have been evacuated as the New Jersey Forest Fire Service works to establish control lines around the perimeter.
The evacuation zone covers a rural-suburban interface area where homes are interspersed with sections of the fire-prone Pine Barrens ecosystem. Local emergency management officials have established temporary shelters for displaced residents, though numbers of evacuees had not been released by late afternoon as the situation continued to evolve rapidly.
Emergency responders are conducting door-to-door notifications in affected areas, with police and fire personnel working to ensure all residents within the evacuation zone are safely relocated. Officials urge those in the area to comply immediately with evacuation orders and to avoid attempting to return to properties until authorized by emergency management personnel.
Massive Response Mobilizes to Combat Flames
The New Jersey Forest Fire Service has deployed significant resources to battle the blaze, including fire engines, bulldozers, and specialized ground crews. According to Asbury Park Press, aerial assets have also been mobilized, including a helicopter capable of dropping 300 gallons of water, an observation helicopter, and a contract air tanker that can release 600 gallons of water per drop.
These aerial resources are crucial for accessing the heart of the fire, which is burning in densely forested areas that are difficult to reach by ground vehicles. Fire crews are focusing on establishing defensive lines to protect threatened structures while working to contain the perimeter of the rapidly expanding blaze.
The intensity of the fire’s spread has been exacerbated by deteriorating drought conditions across the region. Nearly 80% of New Jersey is currently experiencing some level of drought, with Ocean County specifically classified as abnormally dry to moderate drought according to the U.S. Drought Monitor. These conditions have created exceptionally dry forest fuels that allow flames to spread quickly once ignited.
Smoke Impacts Extend Far Beyond Fire Lines
The environmental and health impacts of the fire extend well beyond the actual burn zone, with dense smoke affecting air quality across much of Ocean County. According to 6ABC, dark plumes of smoke and falling ash have been reported in communities miles from the fire, including Toms River and the coastal community of Seaside Heights.
Transportation officials have warned commuters about severely reduced visibility on roadways throughout the region, with smoke particularly heavy on the Garden State Parkway between Exit 74 in Lacey and the New Gretna Toll Plaza in Bass River. Real-time traffic cameras show thick smoke drifting across highways, creating hazardous driving conditions even in areas not directly threatened by flames.
Health officials advise residents in smoke-affected areas to remain indoors with windows closed and air conditioning systems set to recirculate mode to minimize exposure to particulate matter. Those with respiratory conditions, the elderly, and young children are considered particularly vulnerable to smoke-related health effects.
While no injuries have been reported in connection with the fire, authorities continue to investigate the cause of the blaze. The New Jersey Forest Fire Service reminds residents that the state experiences approximately 1,500 wildfires annually, which damage or destroy around 7,000 acres of forest. With fire danger currently rated as “high” throughout southern New Jersey, officials urge extreme caution with any potential ignition sources.
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