A wildfire in New Jersey exploded to 13,250 acres after igniting Tuesday in Ocean County and threatening more than 1,000 structures, shutting down a major highway and causing thousands of people to flee the flames. Shawn LaTourette, New Jersey’s commissioner of Environmental Protection, said fire officials expect the blaze to grow and that it could turn out to be the largest wildfire in New Jersey in 20 years.
However, there has been some good news. As ABC News reports, by Wednesday afternoon, officials said firefighters were gaining the upper hand on the blaze. The Jones Road Wildfire was 50% contained as of 7 p.m. ET, according to New Jersey Forest Fire Service officials.
“Thanks to the incredible, heroic work of the good men and women of our New Jersey fire service folks, homes and lives have been saved and we truly averted a major disaster,” LaTourette said. LaTourette said that no injuries have been reported.
Crews have been working round the clock to try and get the fire contained. Donnelly said the fire continued to threaten 18 structures along County Route 532, which remained closed to traffic Wednesday afternoon.
So far, the fire has destroyed one commercial structure and damaged several cabins and other structures, said John Cecil, assistant commissioner for State Parks, Forests and Historic Sites for the state Department of Environmental Protection.
Officials said they expect to have the fire fully contained by this weekend. About 100 firefighters were battling the blaze from the ground and air on Wednesday, officials said. The origin and cause of the fire remained under investigation Wednesday afternoon.
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