A raging wildfire broke out across 8,500 acres in New Jersey on Tuesday, forcing thousands of residents to evacuate their homes and shuttering a large stretch of the state’s busiest highway.
Firefighters were battling the Jones Road Wildfire through the night after it broke out at 11 a.m. in Lacey and Ocean Townships in Ocean County — utilizing fire engines, bulldozers, air support and ground crews, according to the New Jersey Forest Fire Service.
Despite the massive response, the blaze roared on and was just 10% contained as of 10:46 p.m. Roughly 3,000 residents were under evacuation orders and 1,320 homes and buildings were threatened by encroaching sparks, the fire service reported.
Emergency shelters were organized for those forced to flee their homes — in areas near portions of Highways 532, 539, 72, and 9, officials said.
Road closures are also in effect Tuesday night all across the county, including for 17 miles of the Garden State Parkway, Route 9, Route 532, Lakeside Drive, Jones Road, Bryant Road, and Route 72, according to the state forest fire agency.
About 25,000 homes and businesses are without power in the area as Jersey Central Power and Light cut electricity flow in the area to protect responding firefighters, according to a statement.
“Safety is our top priority and all restoration timing will be determined by the safety of firefighters, our crews and the public. We appreciate your patience and understanding during this time,” the company said in the statement.
