BERNEGAT, N.J. — A wildfire spreading rapidly near the New Jersey coast has ordered evacuation and has closed a 17-mile stretch of the state’s busiest highway as dark smoke poured into the Jersey Shore area.
The Jones Road wildfire sparked Tuesday in the Greenwood Forest Wildlife Management area near Barnegut Township in Ocean County. As of Tuesday afternoon, it had consumed 1,200 acres and was uncontrolled.
Mandatory evacuations are being made on Route 9 of Wells Mills Road and Lacey Township from Bryant Road to Garden State Parkway, according to the New Jersey Forest Fire Department.
Several areas of Barnegat Township have undergone voluntary evacuations.
The busy Garden State Park is closed in both directions from exit 63-80, officials said. Photos shared by Garden State Parkway show the highway close to the road and smoke covering the flames.
Fires threaten at least 16 structures along Bryant Road and Wells Mills Road, according to firefighters. All of these structures are evacuated.
According to the Barnegat Police Department, Jersey Central Power & Light reportedly cut power along the Garden State Parkway due to wide fire. More than 23,000 people do not have power in Ocean County, according to FindEnergy.com.
Dark Smoke and Ash blow away the Garden State Parks of the Marine County communities north and east, including the Toms River, and can be seen close to the beaches high up.
Forest Fire Service Fire trucks, bulldozers, ground crews and air support respond to fires.
The cause of the Jones Road wildfire is under investigation.
According to US drought monitors, drought levels in Ocean County are unusually dry and moderate, but have worsened over the past week.
Almost 80% of the Garden State face some degree of drought.
