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OCEAN TWP., N.J. (WPVI) — A raging wildfire in Ocean County, New Jersey, shut down the Garden State Parkway and forced thousands of residents to evacuate Tuesday night.
Chopper 6: Crews battling raging wildfire in Ocean County
Evacuations
According to the New Jersey Forest Fire Service, roughly 3,000 residents have been evacuated.
In Ocean Township, officials say residents on Wells Mills Road from Bryant Road to the Garden State Parkway are being asked to evacuate.
The Lacey Township Police Department is also issuing an evacuation for residents in the Pheasant Run Community, those near Beach Boulevard, and the surrounding areas of Clune Park, including South River Drive, Sandy Hook Drive, Orlando Drive.
Shelters have been set up at the Waretown United Methodist Church on Bryant Road in Waretown.
In Barnegat Township, police say Pheasant Run Barnegat is under voluntary evacuation. A shelter has opened at Southern Regional High School, and pets are welcome.
“As the fire continues north, there is no immediate threat to Barnegat Township. However, we ask you to be prepared in case of a change in direction,” Barnegat police said on Facebook.
What we know about the fire
The wildfire was reported Tuesday at the Greenwood Forest Wildlife Management Area in neighboring Barnegat Township.
The blaze has grown to 3,200 acres in size and is 5% contained, the New Jersey Forest Fire Service said just after 8 p.m.
Approximately 1,320 structures are being threatened.
A backfiring operation is underway to help crews contain the flames.
Closures on the Parkway
North and southbound lanes of the Garden State Parkway are closed between exits 62 and 80.
According to the Barnegat Township Police Department, the northbound entrance to the Parkway is closed in Barnegat Township. The highway is also closed between Lacey Township and Barnegat Township in both directions, as well as northbound from Stafford Township due to firefighting efforts.
PICTURED: Ocean County, NJ wildfire seen in the distance as driver travels on Garden State Parkway on April 22, 2025.
Tom / @VintageNJ1
Other closures in place:
- Rt. 532 (Wells Mills Road) between Rt. 72 and the Garden State Parkway
- Bryant Road is closed between Wells Mills Road (Rt. 532) and Rt. 539
- Jones Road is closed between Rt. 532 and Bryant Road
- Garden State Parkway is closed between Barnegat Road and Lacey Road
- Closures on Rt. 9 and secondary and tertiary roadways
No injuries have been reported.
The cause of the fire is still under investigation.
Get real-time traffic updates at 6abc.com/traffic.
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