LACEY TWP., N.J. — Firefighters have made significant progress in battling the massive Jones Road Wildfire burning across Ocean and Lacey Townships, with the New Jersey Forest Fire Service reporting the blaze is now 50% contained after scorching 13,250 acres.
While officials confirmed that all evacuation orders have been lifted for the roughly 5,000 residents displaced on April 22, the wildfire continues to pose a threat to 12 structures in the affected areas. Suppression efforts remain active as containment lines are reinforced.
Key Points:
- Jones Road Wildfire has grown to 13,250 acres and is now 50% contained
- 12 structures remain threatened; no additional evacuations ordered
- Route 532 has reopened; Jones Road and Bryant Road remain closed
Road reopenings ease local disruptions
Route 532 (Wells Mills Road), a major artery in the impacted zone, has reopened to traffic. However, Bryant Road remains closed between Wells Mills Road and Route 539, and Jones Road is still shut down between Route 532 and Bryant Road due to ongoing fire operations and safety hazards.
The New Jersey Forest Fire Service, supported by local and state agencies, continues to deploy engines, bulldozers, aircraft, and ground crews to the wildfire perimeter.
Threat reduced but fire still active
The fire’s growth slowed overnight as crews took advantage of improved weather conditions to expand containment lines. The number of structures at risk has decreased from 20 to 12, indicating progress in structural protection efforts.
Officials remind residents that while evacuations have been lifted, the fire remains active and conditions could change rapidly. The cause of the fire is still under investigation.
A fast-moving wildfire in Ocean County reaches over 13,000 acres as firefighters push containment past the halfway mark.