WILDFIRE UPDATE: Jones Road Wildfire in Ocean County

South Jersey Wildfire Expands to Over 11,500 Acres

WILDFIRE UPDATE: Jones Road Wildfire in Ocean County

According to New Jersey Forest Fire Service at 12 p.m. on Monday, April 28, the New Jersey Forest Fire Service achieved 75% containment of a 15,300-acre wildfire burning in the Ocean County Natural Lands Trust’s Forked River Mountains Wilderness Area.

The fire was initially spotted from the Cedar Bridge Fire Tower at 9:45 a.m. on Tuesday, April 22.

On the evening of April 22 the wildfire crossed the Garden State Parkway, triggering the evacuation of approximately 5,000 residents in Ocean and Lacey townships. Additionally, Route 9 and Route 532 (Wells Mills Road) were closed early on in the firefight.

One commercial building was destroyed in the fire, along with multiple outbuildings and vehicles throughout the fire area. A complete damage assessment is ongoing.

A thorough and extensive investigation conducted by the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Major Crime Unit-Arson Squad, New Jersey Forest Fire Service, Ocean County Fire Marshal’s Office and New Jersey State Fire Marshal’s Office determined the cause of the fire to be incendiary by an improperly extinguished bonfire. A Waretown man was charged with aggravated arson and arson in connection with Jones Road Wildfire.

Forest Fire Service crews will remain on scene for the next several days to continue to improve containment lines and address areas of concern until significant precipitation occurs to ensure public safety.

The Forest Fire Service continues to receive assistance from the New Jersey Army National Guard who provided two UH-60 Black Hawk helicopters which are capable of dropping 660 gallons of water each.

Smoke is expected to remain present until significant rain falls over the fire area. Visitors to the area should exercise caution, as trees within the fire area may be weakened.

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