3,000 Flee as NJ Wildfire Explodes to 8,500 Acres

ByDom Castellano

A raging wildfire in Ocean County has forced approximately 3,000 residents to evacuate their homes as flames tore through the Pine Barrens, growing to a staggering 8,500 acres by Tuesday night. The Jones Road wildfire, which began as a small 5-acre brush fire near the Barnegat-Waretown border Tuesday morning, exploded in size throughout the day and evening, threatening 1,320 structures and prompting widespread evacuation orders across multiple communities.

The New Jersey Forest Fire Service reported the blaze was only 10% contained as of late Tuesday, with firefighting efforts complicated by strong winds, dry conditions, and the fire’s rapid northward spread into Lacey Township. Emergency shelters have been established at Southern Regional High School in Stafford and Manchester Township High School, with officials warning that additional evacuations remain possible if wind conditions shift overnight.

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“Then It Got Real”: Residents Flee as Flames Approach

The human impact of the wildfire became increasingly apparent as thousands of residents hastily packed belongings and fled their homes ahead of the advancing flames. According to Asbury Park Press, Lacey resident Dawn Kramer described how the situation deteriorated rapidly throughout the day, with worsening smoke and increasingly loud sirens.

“It wasn’t bad until I saw the flames,” Kramer recounted. “Then it got real.” She described gathering essential documents before evacuating with her daughter and pets to her mother’s house in Little Egg Harbor. The smoke was so dense during her evacuation that she couldn’t see the Garden State Parkway as she drove past it.

Other residents reported even more dramatic experiences, with some witnessing firefighters actively spraying water on houses in desperate attempts to save structures as flames closed in. The rapidly changing conditions created a sense of urgency that transformed ordinarily quiet communities into scenes of evacuation and emergency response.

Power Loss Compounds Crisis for 23,000 Customers

Adding to the emergency, Jersey Central Power & Light cut electricity to approximately 23,000 customers in Barnegat and Waretown at the request of the Forest Fire Service to ensure the safety of firefighting crews. The widespread power outage, which began around 6 p.m., dramatically altered the atmosphere in the affected communities.

“In addition to the glowing flames and smoke that could be seen in the distance, the power outage that occurred just after 6 p.m. added to a sense of alarm and uncertainty,” the Asbury Park Press reported. “Waretown and Barnegat fell eerily silent, except for the steady wail of sirens in the distance. The air was filled with the acrid smell of smoke, as the skies darkened from the haze.”

The utility company issued a statement explaining the forced outage from the Oyster Creek substation: “We will work to restore power to customers as we are safely able, including through tying areas to neighboring lines where safe and possible.” However, officials provided no immediate timeline for when power might be restored, creating additional challenges for residents in unaffected areas who remained in their homes.

Infrastructure Damage and Transportation Chaos

The wildfire has already caused significant property damage, with Lacey Mayor Peter Curatola confirming that three structures in the township’s industrial park caught fire, with one building completely destroyed. According to 6ABC, assessment teams were still evaluating damage in other affected areas, with the full extent of destruction not yet known.

Transportation infrastructure has been severely impacted, with the Garden State Parkway closed for an extended stretch between Exit 63 in Stafford and Exit 80 in South Toms River. Portions of Route 9, a primary parallel route, were also closed, creating massive traffic congestion on secondary and neighborhood roads throughout the region as evacuees and commuters sought alternative routes.

Aerial footage captured by news helicopters showed flames burning along grassy areas near the Parkway and extending into wooded areas, with thick smoke reducing visibility across major thoroughfares. While some sections of the Parkway were reopened late Tuesday, other road closures remained in effect, including Route 532 between Route 72 and the Garden State Parkway, Bryant Road between Routes 532 and 539, and Jones Road between Route 532 and Bryant Road.

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Multi-Agency Response Battles Explosive Fire Growth

The New Jersey Forest Fire Service has deployed significant resources to combat the blaze, including fire engines, bulldozers, and specialized ground crews. Aerial support includes a helicopter capable of dropping 300 gallons of water, an observation helicopter providing tactical intelligence, and a contract air tanker that can deliver 600-gallon water drops on inaccessible areas.

Lacey Mayor Curatola emphasized the dynamic nature of the situation: “This is really fluid. What we have now is if the winds change tonight and blow harder and blow northbound, there could be other evacuations.” This uncertainty has kept emergency responders on high alert, with tactical plans constantly evolving based on fire behavior and weather conditions.

Officials have scheduled a press conference for Wednesday morning to provide updated information on containment efforts, evacuation orders, and the overall status of the emergency response. As firefighting operations continue through the night, thousands of displaced residents face uncertainty about when they might be able to return to their homes and what conditions they might find upon their return.

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