Lacey Township, NJ – A massive wildfire burning through the Ocean County Natural Lands Trust’s Forked River Mountains area has scorched over 15,300 acres as of Monday, with containment efforts reaching 75%.
According to the New Jersey Forest Fire Service, the Jones Road Wildfire was first spotted from the Cedar Bridge Fire Tower at approximately 9:45 a.m. on Tuesday, April 22. The fire rapidly spread, and by Monday, multiple buildings and vehicles had been destroyed. Four structures remain threatened, although no evacuations are currently in place.
Officials reported that the wildfire crossed the Garden State Parkway on the evening of April 22, leading to temporary evacuations affecting around 5,000 residents in Ocean and Lacey townships. Additionally, closures were enacted on Route 9 and Route 532 (Wells Mills Road) but have since been lifted. Wells Mills Park remains closed to the public.
A Waretown man has been charged with aggravated arson and arson after investigators from the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Major Crime Unit-Arson Squad, along with the Forest Fire Service and other agencies, determined the wildfire was allegedly caused by an improperly extinguished bonfire.
Forest Fire Service crews continue to work across the impacted area using fire engines, bulldozers, helicopters, and ground teams. Unimproved roadways within the containment zone remain closed, and visitors to the area are urged to exercise caution due to weakened trees and ongoing smoke presence.
This is expected to be the final update unless significant developments occur, according to officials. Additional support has been provided by the New Jersey Army National Guard, which deployed UH-60 Black Hawk helicopters to assist with firefighting efforts.
Be sure to follow us on Instagram & like us on Facebook to stay up-to-date on more relevant news stories and SUPPORT LOCAL INDEPENDENT NEWS! Have something you’d like to let us know about? Message us on our social channels and let us know about it!
