Jones Road Wildfire in New Jersey Grows to 19 Square Miles, 5,000 Residents Evacuated
Authorities lifted evacuation orders for thousands as the Jones Road wildfire continues to spread, authorities predict its size could grow further.
A forest fire that erupted in New Jersey and spread overnight highlights the major wildfire risk faced by the state and other urban areas.
The Major NJ Wildfire Shows Unexpected Urban Areas Are at Risk
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The fire in southern New Jersey’s Lacey and Ocean townships grew to roughly 19 square miles and could continue to burn for days, officials said during an update on Wednesday.
Wildfire in New Jersey Pine Barrens expected to grow before it’s contained, officials say
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Officials said abnormally dry conditions in New Jersey over the last several months have led to more than double the number of wildfires compared to last year.
Evacuation orders lifted for thousands in New Jersey despite wildfire growth
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Forest fires are a common occurrence in the Pine Barrens, a 1.1 million-acre (445,000-hectare) state and federally protected reserve about the size of the Grand Canyon lying halfway between Philadelphia to the west and the Atlantic coast to the east.
WATCH LIVE: New Jersey officials give update on Jones Road fire, now 30 percent contained
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The Jones Road Wildfire is currently under 10% containment.
Wildfire in New Jersey explodes to 8,500 acres as residents evacuated and structures threatened
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The massive, rapidly growing blaze forced the evacuation of 3,000 residents and shut down several major roads, including a swath of the Garden State Parkway between exits 63 and 74.
N.J. wildfire triggers state of emergency for Ocean County, as evacuation orders lifted
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The fire, named the Jones Road wildfire, erupted the morning April 22 in southern Ocean County and spread 8,500 acres by evening.
Wildfire in New Jersey burns buildings, forces thousands to evacuate
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The Jones Road Wildfire in the Greenwood Forest Wildlife Management Area near Barnegat Township in Ocean County has only been 10 percent contained since first igniting on Tuesday and has consumed 8,500 acres so far, according to a report from Fox Weather.
New Jersey Wildfire Engulfs 8,500 Acres, Forces Evacuations, Shuts Down Garden State Parkway
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Long-term drought conditions, strong winds and warm weather contributed to its spread.
New Jersey wildfire continues to burn as thousands are evacuated
NBC News·1d·ReliableThis source consistently reports facts with minimal bias, demonstrating high-quality journalism and accuracy.CenterThis outlet is balanced or reflects centrist views.Forest fires are a common occurrence in the Pine Barrens, a 1.1 million-acre (445,000-hectare) state and federally protected reserve about the size of the Grand Canyon lying halfway between Philadelphia to the west and the Atlantic coast to the east.
Evacuation orders lifted as fast-moving New Jersey wildfire burns
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The blaze is the second major forest fire in the region in less than a week.
New Jersey wildfire forces evacuations and reaches closed nuclear power plant
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Approximately 7,000 acres of New Jersey’s forests are burnt each year, with Tuesday’s fire making up over almost half of the yearly total.
Over 3,000 evacuations ordered in New Jersey as wildfire explodes in size
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Summary
The Jones Road Wildfire in Ocean County, NJ, has surged to approximately 19 square miles with 35% containment. Acting Governor Tahesha Way declared a state of emergency, enabling the evacuation of around 5,000 residents. Although many have returned home, officials warn the fire could expand due to persistent dry conditions. News reports indicate that rain forecasted later this week may assist containment efforts. Notably, one commercial structure burned, but no injuries have occurred so far. The cause of the fire is still under investigation, and significantly, it is now considered possibly the second-largest wildfire in the state's recent history.
Perspectives
New Jersey authorities lifted a previous evacuation order for thousands of residents on Wednesday, April 23. The lifted orders come as a 12,000-acre fire continues to burn, and authorities say it could grow.
Officials ordered roughly 5,000 people to evacuate in southern New Jersey, as more than 1,300 structures were at risk from the fire. However, authorities halted all evacuation orders Wednesday morning.
Acting Gov. Tahesha Way on Wednesday morning declared a state of emergency for Ocean County, New Jersey.
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