NJ Farm Evacuates Horses As Wildfire Burns

BARNEGAT, NJ — The owner of a South Jersey farm was forced to evacuate nearly two dozen horses amid the growing Jones Road Wildfire, which had burned through 12,000 acres in Ocean County by Wednesday afternoon.

Curry Farms in Barnegat moved 21 boarded horses Tuesday night, owner April Curry told NJ Advance Media. The horses were taken to Applegate Ranch in Manchester Township, she said.

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

While the farm was not included in an evacuation zone, Curry told the publication she was given the option to evacuate as the fire neared.

The Jones Road Wildfire, which started in the Greenwood Forest Wildlife Management Area in Ocean County, prompted around 3,000 evacuations and multiple road closures as the blaze moved north into Waretown and Lacey late Tuesday, officials said.

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

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.