23,000 Without Power as Wildfire Forces Emergency Blackout

More than 23,000 Jersey Central Power & Light customers in Barnegat and Waretown lost electricity Tuesday evening after the utility deliberately cut power from the Oyster Creek substation at the request of the New Jersey Forest Fire Service. The emergency blackout, implemented around 6 p.m., was ordered to protect firefighting crews battling the massive Jones Road wildfire that has now consumed 8,500 acres of Pine Barrens and forced approximately 3,000 residents to evacuate.

The widespread power outage has compounded the crisis for thousands of residents in the affected communities who have not been evacuated but now face darkness and uncertainty as the wildfire continues to burn with just 10% containment. With no immediate timeline for power restoration, the blackout adds another layer of complexity to an already challenging emergency situation that has disrupted life throughout southern Ocean County.

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“Eerie Silence” Settles Over Darkened Communities

The sudden loss of electricity dramatically transformed the atmosphere in Barnegat and Waretown, creating what Asbury Park Press described as an “eerie silence” broken only by “the steady wail of sirens in the distance.” The darkened communities stood in stark contrast to the ominous glow visible from the wildfire burning nearby.

“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 newspaper reported. “The air was filled with the acrid smell of smoke, as the skies darkened from the haze.”

For residents remaining in their homes, the blackout created immediate challenges including the inability to charge communication devices, loss of refrigeration for food, and potential issues for those dependent on electricity for medical equipment. The timing of the outage, occurring as darkness fell, amplified safety concerns for those navigating unfamiliar evacuation routes or attempting to secure their properties before departing.

Strategic Decision to Protect Firefighting Personnel

JCP&L issued a statement explaining that the power cut was implemented at the explicit request of the Forest Fire Service, highlighting the strategic priority of protecting emergency personnel working to contain the blaze. According to 6ABC, the utility confirmed: “We will work to restore power to customers as we are safely able, including through tying areas to neighboring lines where safe and possible.”

This type of emergency power shutdown represents a standard safety protocol in wildland firefighting operations, particularly when flames threaten electrical infrastructure. Energized power lines pose significant hazards to firefighting personnel, including the risk of electrocution if lines are damaged and fall, potential for arc flashes or explosions if smoke creates conductive pathways between lines, and dangers to aircraft conducting water or retardant drops near electrical infrastructure.

The Oyster Creek substation, from which power was cut, is particularly significant in the region’s electrical grid. Located near the site of the former Oyster Creek Nuclear Generating Station, the substation serves as a critical distribution hub for southern Ocean County, explaining the extensive reach of the outage across multiple communities.

Cascading Impacts on Critical Infrastructure

The widespread power outage has affected more than just residential customers, impacting critical infrastructure throughout the region including traffic signals, water pumping stations, and communication systems. These secondary effects create additional challenges for emergency managers already dealing with evacuation operations, firefighting coordination, and public information dissemination.

Lacey Mayor Peter Curatola emphasized how the dynamic situation continues to evolve: “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.” The lack of power adds complexity to these potential evacuation scenarios, particularly if they need to occur during nighttime hours.

Traffic management has become particularly challenging with the combination of power outages affecting signals and the closure of major transportation routes including portions of the Garden State Parkway and Route 9. According to multiple reports, secondary and neighborhood roads throughout the region became “veritable parking lots” as evacuees and commuters sought alternative routes in darkened conditions.

Uncertain Timeline for Restoration

While JCP&L has indicated its intention to restore power “as safely able,” the uncertain nature of the wildfire and ongoing firefighting operations makes it difficult to predict when electricity might return to the affected communities. The utility’s statement mentioned the possibility of “tying areas to neighboring lines where safe and possible,” suggesting a potential for partial restoration in some areas before the Oyster Creek substation can be reenergized.

For those who have evacuated, the power outage raises additional concerns about the condition of homes left behind, particularly the spoilage of refrigerated food during an extended outage. For those still in their homes but without power, basic necessities like food preparation, heating or cooling depending on the weather, and access to information through television or internet have been compromised.

Emergency management officials have urged those dependent on electricity for medical needs to relocate to designated shelters that have backup power capabilities. Both the Manchester Township High School and Southern Regional High School in Stafford have been established as evacuation centers, with the latter specifically welcoming evacuees with pets.

As the Jones Road wildfire continues to burn with limited containment, the power outage represents just one aspect of a multi-faceted emergency that has transformed daily life across southern Ocean County. Officials have scheduled a press conference for Wednesday morning to provide updates on both the wildfire status and associated impacts including the power situation.

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