Wildfire burns 12,000 acres in Ocean County, state of emergency declared

Lt. Gov. Tahesha Way has declared a state of emergency in Ocean County due to the Jones Road Wildfire.

News 12 Staff

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Apr 23, 2025, 11:29 AM

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Updated 2 hr ago

The New Jersey Forest Fire Service says 12,000 acres of land has been burned in Ocean County.

They say the wildfire is in the Greenwood Forest Wildlife Management Area, near Jones Road.

Officials say the fire is currently 35% contained.

Over 3,000 residents were evacuated but all mandatory evacuations in Ocean Township have been lifted effective immediately, allowing residents to return home, police said.

Lt. Gov. Tahesha Way has declared a state of emergency in Ocean County due to the Jones Road Wildfire in the Greenwood Forest Wildfire Management Area near Lacey, Ocean, and Barnegat townships. Way says at this time there is no loss of life and no homes have been harmed.

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