Wildfire threatens homes, sends ash over Ocean County

🔥It is the second wildfire in New Jersey in the past 4 days

🔥Smoke can be smelled around Ocean County with ash falling in some areas

🔥The NJ Forest Fire Service is attacking the fire from the ground and air

UPDATE: Click here for Wednesday updates

BARNEGAT — A second wildfire in four days is burning in New Jersey, affecting major highways and the power grid.

The "Jones Road Wildfire" in the Greenwood Forest Wildlife Management Area spanning parts of the townships of Barnegat, Ocean and Lacey grew from just over a hundred acres early Tuesday afternoon to about 8,500 acres, or 13.3 square miles, by 10 p.m.

At 10 p.m., just 10% of the fire was considered under control.

At 6:30 p.m., officials mandated evacuations in the area of Route 9 in Lacey. Eventually, the fire threatened 1,320 structures, leading to evacuation orders affecting 3,000 people.

Google Maps estimate of the Jones Road wildfire as of 7 p.m., April 22, 2025.

Power outages during the wildfire

About 25,000 homes and businesses remained in the dark after JCP&L shut down power to all lines connecting to a substation near the fire. The utility said they did this at the request of fire officials to protect firefighters. Power was expected to remain off overnight.

"Safety is our top priority and all restoration timing will be determined by the safety of firefighters, our crews and the public. We appreciate your patience and understanding during this time," JCP&L said in a written statement.

Firefighters have tackled the fire from the ground, building new containment lines and reinforcing existing ones. A backfiring operation is underway to burn fuel in advance of the main body of fire, according to the Forest Fire Service.

CAUTION: Explicit language in video below

Smoke from the Jones Road Wildfire in Ocean County. (Reader submitted photo)

Evacuations and Parkway closure

An evacuation was ordered for Wells Mill Road between Bryant Road and the Garden State Parkway in Ocean Township.

The Garden State Parkway was expected to be closed between Exits 74 and 69 at least until midnight, and perhaps into the Wednesday morning commute.

Route 9, Bryant Road, Jones Road and Route 532 (Wells Mill Road) are also closed.

Route 9 is closed from Route 532 north to Lakeside Drive in Lacey.

By 8 p.m., the evacuation orders affected 1,320 buildings. Authorities opened several evacuation shelters: Southern Regional High School in Manahawkin and Manchester Township High School. Pets are accepted at both, police officials said.

🔥 Important to know: From Meteorologist Dan Zarrow

There are a few factors that make the Jones Road Wildfire in southern Ocean County extra problematic:

1️⃣ Location. Flames and smoke continue to keep sections of the Garden State Parkway and Route 9 closed this evening.

2️⃣ It's big. Over 5 square miles. And things escalated very quickly earlier today.

3️⃣ Dry brush. Yes, this spring has generally turned wet. And our drought situation is better than it was. But we haven't had appreciable rain in 10+ days now.

5️⃣ Shifting breezes. Winds have been fairly light, but are still enough to fan the flames and transport smoke from west to east. Wind direction is expected to shift overnight into tomorrow, which means the direction of travel of the fire and the smoke plume may change.

If you are anywhere near the fire ground in Ocean County, my heart goes out to you. I can't imagine how terrifying this must be. Keep and eye and an ear on the latest info. And consider having a "go bag" packed with personal belongings and important documents in case evacuation orders are issued for your house.

🚨 Very important: If a mandatory evacuation is issued for your area, GO.

Be safe, everyone.

Map shows location of the Jones Wildfire in Barnegat. (NJ FFS)

Firefighters at the scene

The fire is being hit from the air with a FFS helicopter dropping 300 gallons of water and an air tanker capable for dropping 600 gallons for water.

Elsewhere in the state, "Danny's Wildfire" continues to burn in the Peaslee Wildlife Management Area in Vineland. It has burned 2 square miles since Friday but has stalled at being 75% contained.

"The New Jersey Forest Fire Service has established strong control lines around three sides of the Danny’s Wildfire. A small creek bordering the fourth side of the fire poses a challenge in getting firefighting equipment to that area to limit the fire’s spread or to burn away fuels," a FFS spokesperson told New Jersey 101.5.

Frightening scenes of the Jones Road Wildfire

The smoke from the Jones Road Wildfire in a forest of Ocean County on April 22, 2025, could be seen for miles, including from the coast.

Gallery Credit: New Jersey 101.5

Chris Coleman contributed to this report

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