In the wake of Tuesday’s massive wildfire, Lt. Gov. Tahesha Way has declared a state of emergency has been declared for southern Ocean County.
There are signs that firefighters are making progress against the fire, one of the worst wildfires in southern Ocean County history.
Mandatory evacuation orders have been lifted and residents are going allowed home.
The Garden State Parkway and Route 9, parts of which were closed Tuesday, have since reopened.
Roads reopen: Garden State Parkway, Route 9 reopen in Ocean County after fire closures
As of the last update, the Jones Road wildfire had more than doubled in size, scorching 8,500 acres. It forced the evacuation of some 3,000 people, and threatened 1,320 homes and buildings, officials said. As of 9:30 a.m., the fire was 10 percent contained.
Fire in Waretown NJ today
More than 23,000 Jersey Central Power & Light customers in Barnegat and Waretown are without power, according to the electric company that serves much of the Jersey Shore. JCP&L had cut electricity from the Oyster Creek substation at the request of the Forest Service for the safety of fire crews.
Route 532 between the Parkway and Route 72 remains closed as of Wednesday morning, according to Ocean Township (Waretown) Police.
Massive wildfire: Ocean County fire: Wildfire in Lacey, Waretown grows to 8,500 acres; 3,000 evacuated
Bryant Road remains closed between Route 532 and Route 539, according to the New Jersey Forest Fire Service.
Lacey Mayor Peter Curatola reported no homes were destroyed in the fire and no injuries reported. Three buildings in the township’s industrial park did catch fire, with one lost, he said.
The next update from the fire service is expected at 3 p.m. Here’s what we learned in the 11 a.m. briefing that just wrapped up.
Fire grows, but more contained
New Jersey Forest Fire Service said that the fire has grown to 11,500 acres burned, but is now 30% contained.
Evacuations are 100% lifted for the approximately 5,000 residents evacuated on April 22 in Lacey and Ocean Townships. Overall, 20 structures are threatened, but no structures evacuated
What started the forest fire?
This is still unknown. The cause is still under investigation, according to the New Jersey Forest Fire Service.
.
