New Jersey Wildfire Forces Evacuations and Highway Closure

A significant brush fire has broken out in New Jersey, consuming over 3,200 acres of land and prompting the evacuation of thousands of residents. The wildfire, known as the Jones Road Wildfire, is located near Barnegat Township in Ocean County and has extended into the Pine Barrens region.

Authorities have closed approximately 17 miles of the Garden State Parkway, a major highway, near Waretown due to the fire's intensity. As of Tuesday evening, the fire was only 5 percent contained. The blaze was initially reported Tuesday morning in the Greenwood Forest Wildlife Management Area, and the cause is currently under investigation.

Mandatory evacuation orders have been issued for 3,000 residents, with an estimated 1,300 buildings at risk. Power outages have affected around 13,000 people in the area, as Jersey Central Power and Light was requested to de-energize power lines. Fortunately, no injuries have been reported so far.

Winds are currently directing the smoke eastward, away from most of the state's population and towards the Atlantic Ocean. Emergency management agencies have expressed support for those affected and the personnel involved in the response. Firefighting efforts involve fire engines, bulldozers, and ground crews from various communities. A shelter has been established at Southern Regional High School to assist evacuees.