Wildfire Smoke Prompts Update From Manchester Police, Ocean County Sheriff

MANCHESTER, NJ — Winds are pushing heavy smoke from the Jones Road wildfire across Manchester and Whiting, authorities said Wednesday, but it is no cause for alarm.

The smoke from the 11,500-acre forest fire in Waretown and Lacey is being smelled strongly in Manchester because of a change in the wind direction, the Ocean County Sheriff's office said.

"This is blow-over from the forest fire in Waretown and Lacey," Manchester police said. "There currently is no fire in town."

Residents who are particularly susceptible to issues from poor air quality are urged to close all their windows to limit smoke getting into their homes, officials said.

The Ocean County Health Department offered these tips as well:

• Protect yourself from smoke exposure. Stay indoors if you have respiratory conditions such as asthma, and keep windows and doors closed. Turn off air conditioning to prevent smoke from entering your home. Use air filters or masks if available to help filter particles out of the air you breathe.
• Check air quality in your community. Check the outdoor air quality near you at www.airnow.gov or on your phone’s weather app.