‘Nerve wracking’: Massive NJ wildfire forces evacuations, shuts down roads, over 3,200 acres burned with containment at just 5%, officials say

NEW YORK – A major wildfire burning in the Greenwood Forest Wildlife Management Area in Barnegat Township, New Jersey, has spread across 1,200 acres, forced multiple evacuations, and shut down portions of the Garden State Parkway, officials said Tuesday.

The fire, being referred to as the Jones Wildfire, was first reported by the New Jersey Forest Fire Service around 12:22 p.m. on Tuesday. As of 5 p.m., officials said the blaze was 0% contained.

The Barnetgat police department has said that the fire is primarily moving north at this time.

The fire has already threatened multiple structures and evacuations have been issued for residents in Barnegat Township

No injuries have been reported.

Evacuations and shelters:

Officials in Ocean Township and Lacey Township have issued multiple evacuation orders:

Ocean Township: Wells Mills Road residents between Bryant Road and the Garden State Parkway must evacuate.

Lacey Township: Evacuation orders have been issued for the Pheasant Run Community, areas near Beach Boulevard, and surrounding streets including Clune Park, South River Drive, Sandy Hook Drive, and Orlando Drive.

Barnegat Township: A voluntary evacuation order is in place for Pheasant Run Barnegat. Officials say there is no immediate threat, but residents should be prepared in case conditions change

Shelter locations:

Waretown United Methodist Church, Bryant Road, Waretown

Southern Regional High School, open to evacuees and their pets

Road closures:

Multiple road closures have been ordered in response to firefighting efforts. These include:

Garden State Parkway, both directions, from Exit 69 in Waretown

Route 532 (Wells Mills Road) between Route 72 and the Garden State Parkway

Bryant Road between Route 532 and Route 539

Jones Road between Route 532 and Bryant Road

The northbound entrance to the Parkway is also closed in Barnegat Township. The highway is additionally closed between Lacey Township and Barnegat Township, and northbound from Stafford Township.

The cause of the wildfire is still unknown.

This is a developing story. Check back for updates.