Massive NJ wildfire that forced thousands to flee inferno could be state’s largest in decades

New Jersey firefighters are still battling a massive blaze in the southern part of the state, which officials say could wind up being the largest wildfire in the Garden State in the last 20 years.

The Jones Road Wildfire — which broke out Tuesday morning in Lacey and Ocean townships in Ocean County — stands at 11,500 acres burned and has been 30% contained, New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection Commissioner Shawn LaTourette told reporters Wednesday.

Officials estimate the fire might not be completely extinguished until at least Saturday, based on the fire’s current containment level and upcoming weather patterns in the area, which had been under a severe drought until recently.

“We expect that number to grow, that ultimately we will see a greater number of acres affected,” LaTourette said, noting that the cause of the fire is still under investigation.

No residential structures have been burned, though over the course of fighting the fire some 1,300 were threatened.

Bill Donnelly, Chief of the New Jersey Forest Fire Service, pointed out the significant uptick in wildfire activity this year compared to 2024.

“This time last year, we were at 310 wildfires for a total of 315 acres burned,” Donnelly said. “This year for the same period we’re at 662 wildfires with 16,572 acres burned.”

Donnelly also noted that a fire in Vineland in Cumberland County which ignited over the weekend currently stands at 1,327 acres burned and has been 80% contained.

The Jones Road Wildfire forced thousands of residents to evacuate their homes and wound up closing down a 17-mile stretch of the Garden State Parkway, Route 9, Route 532, Lakeside Drive, Jones Road, Bryant Road and Route 72, according to the state forest fire agency.

This is a developing story. Please check back for updates.