Ocean County fire: Wildfire in Lacey, Waretown grows to 8,500 acres; 3,000 evacuated

MSN - 07:41
Local roads have been closed and evacuation orders both mandatory and voluntary have been put in place,

One of the worst wildfires in southern Ocean County history has more than doubled in size, scorching 8,500 acres, forcing the evacuation of some 3,000 people, and threatening 1,320 homes and buildings, officials said.

The Jones Road wildfire, which began in the Pine Barrens near the Barnegat-Waretown municipal boundary shortly after 10 a.m. Tuesday, moved northward into Lacey by the evening hours, forcing the closure of the Garden State Parkway in that same area, as flames were seen along the grassy areas near the roadway and into the woods.

More than 23,000 JCP&L customers in Barnegat and Waretown are without power, according to JCP&L. The utility cut electricity from the Oyster Creek substation at the request of the Forest Service for the safety of fire crews.

The New Jersey Forest Fire Service iss...
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