3 Weeks Later, Massive South Jersey Wildfire Receives Final Update

LACEY, NJ — Three weeks after it began in the Forked River Mountains area, the Jones Road Wildfire is officially 100 percent contained, the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection said Monday. The fire reached 15,300 acres.

Smoke conditions are still lingering in the southeastern portion of the fire, officials said. Being fully contained does not mean the fire has been completely extinguished. Forest Fire Service personnel will continue to patrol the perimeter and monitor the area as necessary.

The fire started the night of April 21. Two people, Joseph Kling and a 17-year-old boy, have been charged. Authorities said the fire was caused by a bonfire that was not properly extinguished. Read more: 'We Caused The Fire,' NJ Wildfire Suspect's Girlfriend Admits In Message: Affidavit

It spread quickly from its initial location, burning through Barnegat, Lacey and Waretown. Thousands of residents had to be evacuated and at its worst, nearly 4,000 structures were threatened.

One business, Liberty Door & Awning, was destroyed by the fire. No homes were lost and no one was injured or killed.

Previous reporting:

• Teen Accused In Massive NJ Wildfire To Be Released From Jail
• Man Charged In 15.3K-Acre Jones Road Wildfire Planned To Blame Mexicans, Prosecutor Says
• 2nd Person Charged In 15.3K-Acre Wildfire Still Burning In South Jersey
• Smoke Conditions From Ocean County Fire To Linger: Here's Why
• 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
• Stop Flying Drones Over NJ Wildfire, Fire Chief Says
• Support Surges For Responders Amid Jones Road Wildfire In NJ
• NJ Wildfire: Pictures, Videos Depict Damage As Fire Rages