Inferno scorches 15,250 acres in Ocean County as crews battle Jones Road wildfire
OCEAN TOWNSHIP, N.J. — A fast-moving wildfire stretching across Ocean and Lacey townships has scorched 15,250 acres as of Wednesday, with containment currently at 50%, according to the Ocean Township Police Department.
The blaze, dubbed the Jones Road Wildfire, prompted emergency evacuations for approximately 5,000 residents earlier this week. As of now, all evacuation orders have been lifted, authorities confirmed in a social media update.
Key Points
- The Jones Road Wildfire has burned 15,250 acres and is 50% contained.
- One commercial building and several outbuildings and vehicles have been destroyed.
- All evacuation orders have been lifted; main roadways have reopened.
Damage and containment efforts continue
Although no fatalities have been reported, the wildfire has destroyed one commercial building and caused significant damage to multiple outbuildings and vehicles. A comprehensive damage assessment remains underway.
Four structures remain under threat as firefighting crews continue to work along the perimeter. The New Jersey Forest Fire Service has deployed ground crews, bulldozers, fire engines, and helicopters to the area.
Authorities have reopened key roadways, including Route 532 (Wells Mills Road) and the Garden State Parkway. However, unimproved roads within the burn zone remain inaccessible due to safety concerns.
Fire officials are monitoring the weather and terrain as suppression efforts continue into the week. High winds and dry conditions initially fueled the fire’s rapid spread.
Evacuations lifted but threat remains
The wildfire forced mass evacuations on Monday, April 22, impacting thousands of residents in the affected townships. “Evacuations are 100% lifted for the approximately 5,000 residents evacuated on April 22,” officials stated.
Though displaced residents have been allowed to return, emergency services remain active in the area, warning that flare-ups are still possible. Structural threat assessments are ongoing as part of the containment strategy.
Multiple outbuildings and vehicles have been reported destroyed, but officials have not yet provided a full accounting of losses. Local and state agencies are collaborating to gather a complete picture of the fire’s impact.
Authorities urge caution near the fire perimeter as active operations continue on the ground and in the air. No injuries have been reported among residents or fire crews.
Emergency crews maintain presence amid ongoing recovery
The Jones Road Wildfire marks one of the largest fires in New Jersey this season. Crews are expected to remain on site for several more days to ensure full containment and assess potential reignition risks.
Helicopters and bulldozers are being used to access hard-to-reach areas of the blaze. Ground crews are focusing on reinforcing control lines and extinguishing remaining hotspots.
The New Jersey Forest Fire Service continues to monitor conditions and allocate resources where needed. Local officials say they will release updated information as damage assessments are finalized.
This story is developing and will be updated as new information becomes available.