Here's Why Smoky Conditions From Wildfire Will Linger In Ocean County

WARETOWN, NJ — As firefighters work tirelessly to get the Jones Road Wildfire under control, area residents will likely keep seeing smoke. They shouldn't worry, as authorities say it's actually a good sign.

"Those big smoke columns are a good thing," Forest Fire Service Chief Bill Donnelly told reporters at a press conference Thursday afternoon.

Part of how firefighters work to stop the 15,000-acre blaze is by lighting fires of their own to burn up the fuels in the wildfire's path. The goal is to removed the unburned fuel within the containment line.

"Once that's completed, and those unburned fuels burn up, we should see the smoke subside," Donnelly said.

The smoke will likely continue until Saturday, when there's rain in the forecast. Read more: Changes In Store For NJ Weather As Storms Move In: See Forecast

The smoke also is worsening the air quality across New Jersey. AirNow.gov, which monitors air quality, forecasts that Friday will have "moderate" levels of fine particulate matter due to the Jones Road Fire.

"If you are unusually sensitive to particle pollution, consider reducing your activity level or shorten the amount of time you are active outdoors," the website said.

Additional reporting:

• Jones Road Wildfire Grows To 15K Acres, Officials Say
• Waretown Man Accused Of Starting Jones Road Fire That Burned 15K Acres
• 12K Acre Wildfire Could Grow To NJ's Largest In 20 Years, Officials Say
• 10 Largest Wildfires In New Jersey's History: See Where They Burned, When
• Oyster Creek Owner Clarifies Plant Status Amid Wildfire In Lacey
• NJ Farm Evacuates Multiple Horses As Jones Road Wildfire Burns: Report
• Jones Road Wildfire Prompts State Of Emergency In South Jersey
• NJ Wildfire: Pictures, Videos Depict Damage As Fire Rages
• NJ Wildfire: New Map Shows Blaze Perimeter As 13K Acres Burn