According to the New Jersey Forest Fire Service, roughly 3,000 residents have been evacuated due to the raging flames. The Garden State Parkway remains closed.
BreakingNJ wildfire grows to 8,500 acres; thousands evacuated
According to the New Jersey Forest Fire Service, roughly 3,000 residents have been evacuated.
Wednesday, April 23, 2025 2:54AM
NJ wildfire grows to 3,200 acres; thousands evacuated
OCEAN TWP., N.J. (WPVI) — A raging wildfire in Ocean County, New Jersey, shut down the Garden State Parkway and forced thousands of residents to evacuate Tuesday night.
Chopper 6 overhead as NJ wildfire grows to 3,200 acres on April 22, 2025.
Evacuations
According to the New Jersey Forest Fire Service, roughly 3,000 residents have been evacuated.
In Ocean Township, officials say residents on Wells Mills Road from Bryant Road to the Garden State Parkway are being asked to leave the area.
The Lacey Township Police Department is also issuing an evacuation for residents in South Barnegat Pines south of Lakeside Drive South (including Pheasant Run), those near Beach Boulevard, the area from Route 9 to the Lacey Elks, all of the areas in between Route 9 and the Lacey Elks (Clune Park, Orlando Drive, Sandy Hook Dr, Clubhouse Drive, and all roads in between.
Submit your Videos and Photos to 6abc
In Barnegat Township, police say Pheasant Run Barnegat is under voluntary evacuation. A shelter has opened at Southern Regional High School, and pets are welcome.
“As the fire continues north, there is no immediate threat to Barnegat Township. However, we ask you to be prepared in case of a change in direction,” Barnegat police said on Facebook.
There is also a shelter open at the Manchester Township High School on Hawks Way in Manchester.
What we know about the fire
The wildfire was reported Tuesday at the Greenwood Forest Wildlife Management Area in neighboring Barnegat Township.
The blaze has grown to 8,500 acres in size and is 10% contained, the New Jersey Forest Fire Service said just after 8 p.m.
Approximately 1,320 structures are being threatened. A backfiring operation is underway to help crews contain the flames.
Chopper 6: Crews battling raging wildfire in Ocean County
Power outages
Barnegat Township police say Jersey Central Power & Light de-energized all lines in and out of our Oyster Creek substation at the request of the Forest Fire Service.
Approximately 23,000 JCP&L customers are affected by this forced outage, JCP&L said in a statement.
“We will work to restore power to customers as we are safely able, including through tying areas to neighboring lines where safe and possible,” the statement continued.
Closures on the Parkway
The southbound lanes of the Parkway have been reopened between interchanges 69 and 63, and the northbound Parkway has reopened between interchanges 74 and 80.
Other closures remain in place until further notice. Get real-time traffic updates at 6abc.com/traffic.
Other closures in place:
- 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
- Garden State Parkway is closed between Barnegat Road and Lacey Road
- Closures on Rt. 9 from Lakeside Drive to Rt. 532 (both directions)
- Closures on secondary and tertiary roadways
No injuries have been reported.
The cause of the fire is still under investigation.
Wildfire Safety Tips from the NJ Forest Fire Service
- Don’t discard cigarettes, matches or smoking materials on the ground.
- Don’t leave fires unattended. Douse them completely, until cold to the touch.
- Keep matches and lighters away from children. Teach youth about fire safety. Children can learn about wildfire safety with Smokey Bear’s new mobile game “Smokey’s Scouts.”
- Protect your home and other structures from wildfire by creating defensible space. Visit njwildfire.org for more information.
- Ensure fire trucks can access driveways.
- Report suspicious vehicles and individuals to authorities.
- Use wood stoves and fireplaces carefully, since both can emit embers that spark fires. Fully douse ashes with water before disposal.
- Contact your nearest Forest Fire Service office about how to obtain a Campfire Permit.
Copyright © 2025 WPVI-TV. All Rights Reserved.
Wildfire
Top Stories
According to the New Jersey Forest Fire Service, roughly 3,000 residents have been evacuated due to the raging flames. The Garden State Parkway remains closed.