In New Jersey, a rapidly advancing wildfire forced the evacuation of thousands and the closure of a significant section of a major roadway on Tuesday. Residents found themselves in a tense situation as the New Jersey Fire Service announced that the Garden State Parkway, a key thoroughfare in the state, was shut down between Barnegat and Lacey townships due to the blaze.
The fire, which swept across parts of the Greenwood Forest Wildlife Management Area, posed a threat to over 1,300 structures, prompting the evacuation of around 3,000 residents. In response, shelters were quickly established at two local high schools, as reported by the Barnegat Police Department.
To ensure the safety of emergency responders and fire crews, Jersey Central Power and Light Company discontinued power to roughly 25,000 customers, leaving many in Barnegat Township without electricity. The utility company informed on social media that power restoration would likely not occur until Wednesday.
Covering over 13.2 square miles (34.2 square kilometers), the fire remains only about 10% contained as reported on Tuesday night. The cause of the outbreak remains unknown and is currently under investigation. Thankfully, no injuries have been reported in connection with the wildfire.
Local resident Debi Schaffer described a chaotic scene as she evacuated with her two dogs but decided to leave her husband behind to care for their flock of 22 chickens. The atmosphere around her Waretown home was tense, reminiscent of a war zone, with smoke, sirens, and helicopters dotting the skies.
Nearby, an alpaca farm, while close to the fire, reported no immediate danger to its animals or property through a post on Facebook, offering some reassurance to nervous residents.
This incident marks the second significant forest fire the region has battled in just under a week, leaving communities on edge as they deal with the aftermath and brace for what might come next.