CHATSWORTH, N.J. – A rapidly spreading wildfire in New Jersey’s Pine Barrens has consumed a significant area, yet officials report no injuries have transpired so far. Nonetheless, the blaze is expected to expand further before rain arrives later in the week, according to official forecasts.
The raging fire, which has engulfed parts of Lacey and Ocean townships in southern New Jersey, has now spread over an area exceeding 20 square miles (about 52 square kilometers). There is an anticipation that the fire might continue to blaze for several days. Thankfully, no reported injuries have occurred, though around 5,000 residents who were forced to evacuate have been allowed to return home. The fire has destroyed one commercial building and several vehicles, while 12 structures remain under threat as of Wednesday evening.
“This is still a very active fire,” commented Shawn LaTourette, the Department of Environmental Protection Commissioner. He added, “As we work towards gaining full control, it’s expected that the affected acres will increase in an area that is largely unpopulated.”
This wildfire is considered one of the most severe in the last 20 years, second only to a 2007 blaze that destroyed 26 square miles (approximately 67 square kilometers).
The Garden State Parkway, a major highway in New Jersey, was reopened Wednesday morning after being closed for about a 7-mile (12-kilometer) stretch in the south of the state.
Acting Governor Tahesha Way declared a state of emergency early Wednesday as authorities reported that roughly 50% of the wildfire has been contained.
Footage published by the state agency managing the fire services captured large clouds of white and black smoke, fierce flames enveloping pine trees, and firefighters attempting to extinguish a charred building.
The origin of the fire is currently under investigation.
Forest fires are not unusual in the Pine Barrens, a 1.1 million-acre (445,000-hectare) state and federally protected reserve, roughly the size of the Grand Canyon. Located between Philadelphia and the Atlantic coast, the region’s sandy soil drains quickly. At this peak forest fire season, the trees are still leafing out, with low humidity and winds potentially drying the forest floor.
This area represents a vast wilderness within the most densely populated state. LaTourette pointed out the fire is situated on a boundary where wilderness and residential communities meet.
“It’s where nature meets development,” he said.
Until recently, the area faced severe drought conditions, temporarily alleviated by early spring rains. However, officials have warned that recent periods of low humidity and dryness have amplified fire risks.
Responding to requests from the Forest Fire Service and the wildfire’s command post, Jersey Central Power and Light Company disconnected power for approximately 25,000 customers on Tuesday evening. Power was restored by late Wednesday afternoon.
During the evacuation, Debi Schaffer found herself stuck in gridlock traffic with her two dogs. Her husband opted to remain with their 22 chickens.
“I imagined taking them with me; can you picture that many chickens in a car?” she shared. Her Waretown home felt like “a war zone” with smoke, sirens, and helicopters filling the air.
The fire is close to an alpaca farm, which assured in a social media update that neither the property nor the animals were in danger.
This marks the second significant forest fire in the region in under a week.