A massive wildfire that broke out in southern New Jersey has scorched over 11,500 acres, prompting thousands to evacuate and briefly forcing the closure of a major motorway. As weather conditions begin to improve, authorities have lifted evacuation orders and reopened a section of the Garden State Parkway.
What Happened?
The wildfire started on Tuesday morning (April 22, 2025) in the Greenwood Forest Wildlife Management Area, located in Ocean County, New Jersey.
By Wednesday morning, the blaze was 30% contained, according to the New Jersey Forest Fire Service.
The cause of the fire is still being investigated.
Emergency Measures Taken
Acting New Jersey Governor Tahesha Way declared a state of emergency in Ocean County early Wednesday.
Over 3,000 residents were evacuated from parts of Lacey Township and Ocean Township.
Thankfully, no lives were lost, and no homes have been destroyed so far, according to a post shared by Gov. Way on X (formerly Twitter).
However, several businesses in an industrial park in Lacey Township were damaged by the fire, Ocean County Undersheriff John Lombardi told CNN.
Transport and Power Disruptions
A section of the Garden State Parkway, a major highway in New Jersey, was closed on Tuesday but reopened by Wednesday morning.
As a precaution, power lines near the fire zone were de-energised Tuesday night, affecting around 25,000 customers, reported Jersey Central Power and Light.
As of Wednesday morning, over 25,000 homes and businesses were still without electricity, according to PowerOutage.us.
Smoke and Air Quality Concerns
On Tuesday, thick black smoke filled the skies over Ocean County, prompting health warnings due to poor air quality.
Aerial footage from CNN affiliate WPVI showed buildings already damaged as firefighters continued their efforts to protect surrounding properties.
Local resident Giana Nicholas shared with News 12 New Jersey that smoke quickly intensified, forcing her family to leave their home.
“Eventually, as the night went on, smoke flooded the streets,” she said.
Environmental Impact and Drought Conditions
This wildfire is well above the state’s annual average, as New Jersey usually sees around 7,000 acres burned by wildfires each year.
The fire comes at a time when the state is already under an official drought warning due to below-average winter rainfall, according to a statement by the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection.
Although wildfires of this scale are uncommon in New Jersey, the state is not immune to them. Just last November, the Jennings Creek Fire destroyed several thousand acres across New Jersey and New York.
Weather Outlook and Firefighting Conditions
Strong winds on Tuesday, gusting between 15 to 25 mph, made firefighting efforts more difficult.
Fortunately, lighter winds of around 5 to 10 mph are expected through the rest of the week, helping fire crews contain the blaze.
Rain showers are forecast to begin late Friday night and may continue through Saturday, which could further assist containment efforts.
What’s Next?
Firefighters are expected to remain on the scene throughout the week as containment efforts continue. While the situation has improved, residents are urged to stay alert and follow updates from local authorities.
Sources
CNN: www.cnn.com
News 12 New Jersey
New Jersey Forest Fire Service
PowerOutage.us
New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection