Wildfire Prompts Public Health Alert In Ocean County

OCEAN COUNTY, NJ — The wildfire burning in Ocean County on Tuesday evening has prompted an public health alert from the Ocean County Health Department.

The fire, which started Tuesday afternoon, had reached 3,200 acres as of 8 p.m., the New Jersey Forest Fire Service said. Smoke from the wildfire was blowing north and east across the parts of Ocean County.

Brush fire/wildfire smoke is a mixture of small particles and gases such as carbon monoxide. The primary health concern is the small particles in the smoke, which can irritate your eyes, nose, throat, and lungs. It can make it hard to breathe and make you cough or wheeze.

People at higher risk, children, the elderly, those with respiratory or heart conditions, and people with compromised immune systems, may experience more severe effects such as difficulty breathing, wheezing, coughing, fatigue, and/or chest pain.

Health department officials said residents should take the following precautions:

• 911 is for emergencies only. Please do not call for road closure or fire updates.
• Avoid the area if possible. Fire conditions can change rapidly, and road closures are in place for your safety.
• Do not drive in smoke-filled areas. Visibility can drop quickly, making conditions dangerous. If you must drive, keep windows up and set your car’s air circulation to "recirculate" to prevent smoke from entering your vehicle.
• 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.
• Bring pets inside. If smoke is in the area, animals can experience respiratory distress just like humans.
• Follow evacuation orders if issued. For residents issued an evacuation order, follow them in a safe and orderly manner. For other residents, be prepared to leave if conditions worsen and authorities direct you to do so.
• Check air quality in your community. Check the outdoor air quality near you at www.airnow.gov or on your phone’s weather app.