State Of Emergency Declared For NJ Wildfire

LACEY, NJ — Acting New Jersey Gov. Tahesha Way on Wednesday declared a state of emergency in New Jersey in response to the Jones Road Wildfire, which had burned through 12,000 acres in Ocean County by Wednesday afternoon.

A news release from the governor's office said the state of emergency went into effect at 7 a.m. Wednesday. Declaring a state of emergency helps the state allocate resources to battle the blaze.

RELATED: 11,500-Acre Wildfire Still Burning In South Jersey

“Due to (the fire's) accelerated growth... I am declaring a State of Emergency for Ocean County,” Way said in a statement. “I encourage all residents in the county to continue to monitor the proper channels and to use caution and follow all safety protocols.”

The Jones Road Wildfire started around 12:30 p.m. Tuesday in the Greenwood Forest Wildlife Management Area near Lacey, Ocean and Barnegat Townships in Ocean County.

The fire grew swiftly throughout the day, consuming 12,000 acres by Wednesday morning. As of 1 p.m., the fire was 35 percent contained, according to the New Jersey Forest Fire Service.

RELATED: Pictures, Videos Depict Damage As NJ Wildfire Rages

The fire prompted approximately 3,000 evacuations and multiple road closures. But as of Wednesday morning, both the Garden State Parkway and Route 9 had reopened in both directions, and evacuation orders were lifted.

An estimated 23,000 JCP&L customers also lost power Tuesday as the company cut power lines in and out of their Oyster Creek substation.

"Safety is our top priority and all restoration timing will be determined by the safety of firefighters, our crews and the public," JCP&L said. "We appreciate your patience and understanding during this time."