Fast-moving wildfires were on fire in New Jersey, but officials on Wednesday unleashed early evacuation orders and the spread of major highways closed due to flames.
More than 1,300 structures were threatened and about 3,000 residents were evacuated, according to the New Jersey Forest Fire Department. Lacey Township Police said the evacuation order was lifted Wednesday morning. Shelters were open at two high schools, according to the Burnegat Police Department.
Garden State Parkway, one of New Jersey’s busiest highways, reopened Wednesday morning after authorities closed about seven miles of stretches in the southern part of the state.
The firefighters had planned to make an update at a press conference late Wednesday morning.
Forest fires are common occurrences in pine insects, a state and federally protected sanctuary, about the size of the Grand Canyon along the west and east of Philadelphia, along the Atlantic coast.
area He was exposed to serious drought Until recently, early spring rains have helped to keep the area down.
Jersey Central Power and Light Company cut power to roughly 25,000 customers on the request of Forest Fire Service and the Wildfire’s Command Post, including thousands of people from Barnegat Township on Tuesday evening. The company said at X it does not expect to regain power by Wednesday.
“This is for the safety of the crew fighting the fire,” the company said.
The fire in the Greenwood Forest Wildlife Management Area burned more than 13 square miles of land, firefighters said.
The flames burning in the towns of Ocean and Lacey in Ocean County were only 10% of the time Tuesday night, firefighters said. The cause of the fire was under investigation.
There were no immediate reports of injuries.
Devi Schaffer was caught in terrible traffic after evacuating with two dogs while agreeing to stay with 22 chickens. Atlantic City reports have been reported.
“I wanted to take them to the car with me. Can you imagine 22 chickens in the car?” she told the newspaper.
Around her Waretown home, “like a war zone,” she says, explaining the topic of smoke, sirens and helicopters.
The fire is located near the Alpaca Farm. The farm said in a Facebook post that the property was not threatened and that all animals are safe.
The flame is the second major bushfire in the area within a week.
