New Jersey Wildfire Triggers Evacuations, Shuts Down Major Highway/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ A massive wildfire in New Jersey’s Ocean County has forced 3,000 evacuations. The blaze shut down the Garden State Parkway and burned over 13 square miles. Officials have cut power to thousands as firefighters battle the uncontained fire.
New Jersey Wildfire Triggers Mass Evacuations: Quick Looks
- Widespread Evacuations: Approximately 3,000 residents fled their homes in Ocean County as flames advanced rapidly.
- Major Highway Closed: The Garden State Parkway was shut down between Barnegat and Lacey townships.
- Massive Power Cut: Over 25,000 homes lost power as Jersey Central Power & Light acted at the request of fire authorities.
- Structures Threatened: More than 1,300 buildings were in the path of the flames by Tuesday night.
- Fire Still Growing: As of late Tuesday, the blaze was only 10% contained and had scorched more than 13.2 square miles.
- Emergency Shelters Opened: High schools in the area were converted into temporary shelters for displaced residents.
- No Injuries Reported: Despite the intensity of the fire, no casualties were reported as of early Wednesday.
- Second Major Fire in a Week: This is the second large-scale wildfire to hit the region in less than seven days.
New Jersey Wildfire Triggers Evacuations, Shuts Down Major Highway
Deep Look
BARNEGAT TOWNSHIP, N.J. – April 23, 2025 — A fast-moving wildfire in New Jersey’s Greenwood Forest Wildlife Management Area led to the evacuation of thousands of residents and the closure of a major stretch of the Garden State Parkway, one of the state’s busiest highways, authorities said Tuesday night.
Fueled by dry conditions and strong winds, the fire surged through 13.2 square miles of woodland in Ocean and Lacey Townships and was only 10% contained as of late Tuesday, according to the New Jersey Forest Fire Service.
“This is a significant fire,” officials stated. “We’re working around the clock with local departments to protect homes and manage evacuations.”
Residents Rush to Evacuate
Over 3,000 residents were ordered to evacuate, with 1,300 structures reportedly under threat. Emergency shelters were opened at two local high schools, the Barnegat Police Department confirmed.
Local resident Debi Schaffer described the scene near her home in Waretown as “like a war zone,” with thick smoke, loud sirens, and helicopters overhead.
“I took our dogs and left. My husband stayed behind with our 22 chickens — I couldn’t fit them all in the car,” she told The Press of Atlantic City.
Power Shutoff for Safety
In an effort to support firefighting operations, Jersey Central Power and Light Company cut electricity to roughly 25,000 customers, many of them in Barnegat Township.
“This is for the safety of the crews battling the fire,” the utility said on X, noting that restoration isn’t expected before Wednesday.
Damage Assessment and Firefighting Efforts
Fire officials continued battling the blaze late into the evening, but containment efforts have been hampered by heavy smoke and dry brush. The cause of the fire remains under investigation, but no injuries have been reported.
Close Calls and Local Impact
The fire came dangerously close to local farms and homes. A nearby alpaca farm reassured the public via Facebook that their animals are safe and the property was not directly threatened.
With helicopters, emergency vehicles, and support from multiple agencies on the ground, the scene remained tense through the night.
This marks the second major wildfire in New Jersey in less than a week, raising alarms about fire conditions in the state’s typically temperate coastal regions.
What’s Next
Firefighters are expected to continue aggressive containment operations throughout Wednesday. The weather forecast will be a key factor in either helping or hindering those efforts.
Officials urged residents to stay informed via emergency alerts and to heed evacuation orders, warning that conditions could change rapidly.
