LACEY TOWNSHIP, N.J. — A fast-moving wildfire in Ocean County, named the Jones Road Forest Fire, has sparked concern as it neared the decommissioned Oyster Creek Nuclear Power Plant, triggering evacuations and safety precautions.
The fire, which burned over 8,500 acres by Wednesday morning, displaced thousands of residents, threatened numerous homes, and forced the closure of major roads.
The Oyster Creek facility, closed since 2018, no longer produces electricity but stores highly radioactive spent nuclear fuel in secure dry cask systems. Late Tuesday, embers from the blaze caused a small fire on the plant’s grounds, which was quickly put out. A spokesperson for the company managing the site’s decommissioning stated that security teams are monitoring the area continuously, emphasizing that the fuel storage systems are designed to withstand extreme conditions, including wildfires, and pose no immediate risk.
The fire, which started Tuesday in a nearby wildlife area, remains largely uncontained due to dry conditions and strong winds. It spread rapidly, prompting mandatory evacuations in several neighborhoods and the opening of emergency shelters at local schools.
The fire’s approach to Oyster Creek has heightened local concerns about the site’s safety. While the plant’s closure was welcomed by many, the ongoing decommissioning and the presence of significant radioactive waste continue to worry nearby communities.