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Jones Road Fire

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Jones Road Fire
Smoke plume from the Jones Road Fire on April 23
Date(s)
  • April 22, 2025 (2025-04-22) –
  • May 12, 2025 (2025-05-12) (20 days)
LocationOcean County, New Jersey, U.S.
Statistics
StatusExtinguished
Burned area15,300 acres (6,192 ha; 24 sq mi; 62 km2)
Impacts
Non-fatal injuries1 (indirectly)[1]
Evacuated5,000
Structures destroyed1 commercial, multiple outbuildings, 1,320 threatened
Ignition
CauseArson[2]

The Jones Road Fire was a major wildfire that broke out on April 22, 2025, in Barnegat, Ocean County, New Jersey, rapidly spreading northward towards Waretown and Lacey Township. The fire began in the Greenwood Forest Wildlife Management Area, leading to large-scale evacuations, infrastructure disruptions, and significant environmental impact.[3][4]

Background

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The Jones Road Fire burned in an area with lots of fire history, especially in recent years.[5] Conditions in New Jersey leading up to the fire were in a long-term drought, which helped fuel the fire's spread.[6]

Cause

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On April 24, 19-year old Joseph Kling of Waretown was arrested and charged with aggravated arson involving an "improperly extinguished bonfire" and hindering apprehension.[2] Another teenager, a 17-year-old boy, was also arrested in connection with the fire and was charged with aggravated arson and hindering apprehension. The two lied and told police that Mexicans started the fire.[1] In addition, abnormally warm and dry conditions in the days leading up to the fire are said to have contributed to its intensity.[7]

Effects

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Evacuations and closures

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Roughly 3,000 residents were evacuated from various communities, including:

  • Waretown: Mandatory evacuation was ordered for residents east of the Garden State Parkway and near Route 9, as well as properties along Route 532.
  • Barnegat: Voluntary evacuations occurred in neighborhoods such as Windward, Mirage, Pheasant Run, Heritage Point North, Brookville, and homes along West Bay Avenue.

Emergency shelters were set up, including at Southern Regional High School in Stafford Township, which also accepted pets.[8]

Spread and damage

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By the evening of April 22, the fire had scorched approximately 8,500 acres (about 34.4 square kilometers), and containment stood at just 10%. It threatened around 1,320 structures, including homes and industrial facilities. Three buildings in Lacey’s industrial zone sustained damage, with one building completely destroyed.[8][9]

As of April 23, the fire had officially destroyed one commercial structure with multiple outbuildings and vehicles destroyed. Damage assessments were underway.[10] On the same day, fire officials expected that the fire would continue to grow and become one of the largest wildfires in New Jersey in over 20 years.[11]

Smoke

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Smoke from the Jones Road Fire

Smoke from the wildfire caused poor air quality in parts of New Jersey, with experts advising residents to keep windows closed and wear a face mask.[12] In New York, worsening air quality was expected by the evening of April 23. The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation stated that air quality may be unhealthy for sensitive groups by April 24.[13]

Progression

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The Jones Road Fire started around 1:30 p.m. EST on April 22, 2025. The fire started in the Greenwood Forest Wildlife Management Area near Wells Mills Park.[14]

The fire had quickly grown by 2:08 p.m. to 150 acres, with 12 structures threatened at the time, closing down Wells Mills Park.[14] By about 5:07 p.m. the fire had rapidly grown to over 1,200 acres, with structures being evacuated in the area.[15] At 6:45 p.m., the fire was reported to have jumped Route 9.[8]

At 8:10 p.m., the fire was reported to be 3,200 acres with 5% containment. Approximately 3,000 residents had been evacuated and 1,320 structures were threatened.[16]

By 10:46 p.m., the fire was reported at 8,500 acres with 10% containment, with multiple main roads closed down due to the fire.[17]

Forest scorched by the Jones Road Fire along the Garden State Parkway in Lacey Township, New Jersey

The next day on April 23, around 8:00 a.m., all evacuations for the approximately 5,000 residents were lifted, and around 7:51 a.m. the fire was estimated at 11,500 acres with 30% containment.[18][19] By the evening, the fire was estimated to be 13,250 acres and 50% contained.[11] On April 24, at 10:20 a.m., the fire was reported to be 15,000 acres.[20] On April 27, at 12:16 p.m., the fire was estimated to be 15,300 acres and 65% contained.[21] The following day, at 2:08 p.m., the fire was stated to be 75% contained.[22]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ a b "Teens charged in Jones Road fire allegedly lied, blamed Mexicans for fire". Asbury Park Press. May 2, 2025. Retrieved May 3, 2025.
  2. ^ a b Chang, David (2025-04-24). "Teen charged with starting massive wildfire in Ocean County, NJ". NBC10 Philadelphia. Retrieved 2025-04-24.
  3. ^ NJ.com, Chris Sheldon | NJ Advance Media for (2025-04-23). "Raging N.J. wildfire surges to 8,500 acres with 3,000 evacuated, major roads closed". nj. Retrieved 2025-04-23.
  4. ^ "Map shows Jones Road Wildfire as thousands of acres burn in New Jersey". Newsweek. 2025-04-22. Retrieved 2025-04-23.
  5. ^ "A history at significant Ocean County wildfires, including the Jones Road fire". Asbury Park Press. April 23, 2025. Retrieved April 22, 2025.
  6. ^ "New Jersey wildfire continues to burn as thousands are evacuated". NBC News. April 23, 2025. Retrieved April 23, 2025.
  7. ^ NASA Images Reveal Extent of Major New Jersey Fire, Newsweek, April 25, 2025. Retrieved April 26, 2025
  8. ^ a b c "Ocean County fire: Wildfire in Lacey, Waretown grows to 8,500 acres; 3,000 evacuated". Asbury Park Press. Retrieved 2025-04-23.
  9. ^ Speck, Emilee (2025-04-22). "Thousands evacuate as New Jersey wildfire explodes in size, closes part of Garden State Parkway". FOX Weather. Retrieved 2025-04-23.
  10. ^ "New Jersey Forest Fire Service on X". X. Retrieved 2025-04-23.
  11. ^ a b Haworth Hutchinson, Jon Bill (April 23, 2025). "New Jersey wildfire explodes to 13,250 acres, could be largest in nearly 20 years". ABC News. Retrieved 2025-04-24.
  12. ^ "New Jersey air quality worsens, wildfire smoke cited". News 12 - Default. Retrieved 2025-04-23.
  13. ^ "N.J. wildfire smoke to affect air quality on Long Island, NYC". Newsday. 2025-04-23. Retrieved 2025-04-23.
  14. ^ a b "New Jersey Forest Fire Service on X". X. April 22, 2025. Retrieved April 22, 2025.
  15. ^ "New Jersey Forest Fire Service on X". X. April 22, 2025. Retrieved April 22, 2025.
  16. ^ "New Jersey Forest Fire Service on X". X. April 22, 2025. Retrieved April 22, 2025.
  17. ^ "New Jersey Forest Fire Service on X". X. April 22, 2025. Retrieved April 22, 2025.
  18. ^ "New Jersey Forest Fire Service on X". X. April 23, 2025. Retrieved April 22, 2025.
  19. ^ "NJOEM on X". X. April 23, 2025. Retrieved April 22, 2025.
  20. ^ Stamm, Dan; Mitman, Hayden; Grassi, Emily Rose; Chang, David; Lynch • •, Cherise (2025-04-24). "Live updates: Arson charges against teen as wildfire continues to burn in NJ". NBC10 Philadelphia. Retrieved 2025-04-24.
  21. ^ "New Jersey Forest Fire Service on X". X. April 27, 2025. Retrieved April 28, 2025.
  22. ^ "New Jersey Forest Fire Service on X". X. April 28, 2025. Retrieved April 28, 2025.
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