Evacuations Underway as Wildfire Spreads in Ocean County

Evacuations Underway as Wildfire Spreads in Ocean County

According to authorities, the 150-acre woodland fire that started Tuesday afternoon in Barnegat is still fully uncontrolled. According to officials, people living on Wells Mills Road in Waretown between Bryant Road and the Garden State Parkway are being forced to evacuate. Waretown Methodist Church has a makeshift shelter.

Shortly after 3:30 p.m., the Ocean County Sheriff's Office announced that the Garden State Parkway near Waretown might be closed. Drivers are advised to anticipate delays and take detours.

Officials from the New Jersey Forest Fire Service are on the scene attempting to suppress the fire, which they have named the Jones Wildfire.

Officials from the Forest Fire Service stated that "crews are in the midst of erecting new containment lines and reinforcing old ones." "To burn fuel ahead of the main body of fire, a backfiring operation is in progress."

The Greenwood Forest Wildlife Management Area, which includes the townships of Barnegat, Berkeley, Lacey, Manchester, Waretown, and Woodland, is where the fire is located.

ROADS AFFECTED

⚠️ Rt. 532 (Wells Mills Road) between Rt. 72 and the Garden State Parkway
⚠️ Bryant Road is closed between Wells Mills Road (Rt. 532) and Rt. 539
⚠️ Jones Road is closed between Rt. 532 and Bryant Road.