New Jersey officials ordered thousands of residents to evacuate on Tuesday after a fire erupted and spread out of control in Ocean County.
The Jones Road Forest Fire had consumed 3,200 acres and was just 5% contained by 8 p.m. ET on Tuesday evening. The fire forced 3,000 nearby residents to evacuate. Roughly 23,000 JCP&L customers have lost power, according to NJ.com.
WILDFIRE UPDATE: Jones Road Wildfire – Ocean & Lacey Townships, Ocean County
New Jersey Forest Fire Service remains on scene of a wildfire burning in Ocean & Lacey Townships, Ocean County.
SIZE & CONTAINMENT
🔥 3,200 acres
🔥 5% contained pic.twitter.com/nxdzQNQ5Ot— New Jersey Forest Fire Service (@njdepforestfire) April 23, 2025
The fire shut down multiple roads and has threatened over 1,300 structures. Local and state resources including “Forest Fire Service fire engines, bulldozers and ground crews” and
