OCEAN TWP., N.J. (WPVI) — Firefighters continue to battle a wildfire in part of New Jersey’s Pine Barrens in Ocean County that has burned over 15,000 acres, with strong winds on Sunday complicating their efforts, officials said.
The Jones Road Wildfire, located in Ocean County, has burned 15,300 acres and is only 65% contained as of Sunday, according to the New Jersey Forest Fire Service.
Officials said this could end up being the largest wildfire in New Jersey in 20 years.
The National Weather Service issued an “increased risk of rapid fire spread” for Sunday afternoon for portions of southern New Jersey. Minimum humidity values will be around 30% to 35%, combined with “northwest winds 15 to 20 mph with 30 to 40 mph gusts.”
Officials said these windy conditions are complicating the containment process for this wildfire, with the gusts causing already-burned trees to fall throughout the woods, creating serious hazards.
“The NJ State Forest Fire Service is again requesting for folks to stay out of the woods that were affected,” the Lacey Township Police Department said in a statement on Sunday. “It’s a dangerous combination of fire and wind.”
Firefighter operations will continue for the “next several days” due to these powerful winds, officials said.
The NWS said the wind should “diminish fairly rapidly by early [Sunday] evening.”
During an update on Friday, officials said four structures were still being threatened. During the height of the firefight, 1,320 structures were threatened, but officials later said no homes had been lost.
Chopper 6 overhead as NJ wildfire grows to 3,200 acres on April 22, 2025.
However, one commercial building, as well as multiple outbuildings and vehicles, were destroyed by the fire.
The New Jersey State Forest Service is urging the public to avoid fire-affected wooded areas, warning of dangerous conditions. The NWS also said outdoor burning is “strongly discouraged” during this time.
Trace amounts of rain fell over the southern portion of the fire on Saturday, and precipitation that “varied in amount” hit the northern section of the flames. Crews are “currently mopping up hotspots and patrolling the fire perimeter,” the forest fire service said.
So far, one commercial building and multiple outbuildings and vehicles were destroyed by flames, with a complete damage assessment underway, officials said.
Officials said they will provide more updates on the fire’s containment on Monday afternoon.
The Jones Road Wildfire was first spotted at approximately 9:45 a.m. on April 22 in the Greenwood Wildlife Management area in Waretown, New Jersey, officials said.
A 19-year-old man, Joseph Kling of Waretown, was arrested on suspicion of starting the fire and charged with second-degree aggravated arson for allegedly purposely destroying a forest; and third-degree arson for allegedly recklessly endangering buildings or structures, New Jersey officials announced on Thursday.
Kling was arrested after investigators determined the fire to be “incendiary by an improperly extinguished bonfire,” officials said.
The origin of the fire, according to investigators, is near the Waretown address the Kling listed as his home.
During his first court appearance on Thursday afternoon, Kling did not enter a plea to the charges. A detention hearing is scheduled for Tuesday.
The fight continues against a wildfire in Ocean County, New Jersey that has consumed thousands of acres since it erupted Tuesday.
Increased Wildfire Risk
As temperatures rise, fires are popping up throughout our area. One in New Hope, Pa. was put out Thursday by firefighters on Pineville Road.
In the Poconos, a fire in Jim Thorpe began over the weekend. Officials say it is now 100% contained but crews remain on the scene to put out any flare-ups.
The weather service said especially Friday, conditions are conducive to wildfire spread with low humidity, high temperatures and high winds.
Stockton University Professor of Sustainability Patrick Hossay says he expects to see more fires this year here and around the country.
“We have less moisture in the soil, less moisture in plants and trees and as a result of that forests are more primed for fire,” Hossay said.
He says climate change needs to be addressed to reduce the number of fires, but those who live in high-risk wooded areas can adapt their properties.
“We certainly know how to make homes that are less flammable, we know how to design landscapes that are less flammable. That doesn’t solve the whole problem but it makes us safer,” Hossay said.
ABC News contributed to this report.
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