A massive wildfire erupted Tuesday in the Greenwood Forest Wildlife Management Area near Barnegat Township, New Jersey, threatening thousands of residents and forcing widespread evacuations as dark smoke blanketed the coastal region. Known as the Jones Road Wildfire, the blaze exploded to 8,500 acres by nightfall and was just 10% contained.
Roughly 3,000 residents were ordered to evacuate their homes as the fire approached more than 1,300 homes and structures. The New Jersey Forest Fire Service is still conducting damage assessments, and no official structural losses have been confirmed at this time.
Major roadways—including stretches of Highways 532, 539, 72, and 9—have been closed as emergency responders work to control the flames and guide residents to safety. Barnegat Township and surrounding communities are facing ongoing voluntary evacuation advisories, and several emergency shelters have been opened to assist those displaced.
Utility company Jersey Central Power & Light preemptively shut off electricity along the Garden State Parkway, leaving over 25,000 residents without power in Ocean County. Authorities warn residents to brace for long-term outages due to likely damage to power lines and transformers.
“Residents should prepare for the possibility of an extended power outage,” Barnegat Police said, noting that smoke and ash have significantly reduced visibility in affected areas.
Smoke from the wildfire has drifted across the region, affecting nearby towns like Toms River and beach communities including Seaside Heights. Though winds have calmed, police warned that the resulting smoke will continue to pose dangers for both drivers and air quality overnight.
The situation remains fluid, with state fire officials urging residents to heed evacuation orders and remain alert as containment efforts continue.
