US: New Jersey Wildfire Forces Thousands to Evacuate

By Staff, Agencies

A fast-moving wildfire in the Pine Barrens of southern New Jersey forced the evacuation of around 3,000 residents on Tuesday and led to the temporary closure of a major highway.

Named the Jones Road Forest Fire, the blaze had spread across roughly 8,500 acres by 11 pm ET, with only 10% of it contained. The fire had been burning for about nine hours before it was first reported by the New Jersey Forest Fire Service near Barnegat Township in Ocean County.

People living in Ocean and Lacey townships were ordered to evacuate for safety. No injuries were reported at the time.

According to a post by the fire service on X late Tuesday, the wildfire was threatening approximately 1,320 buildings. Officials also confirmed that a stretch of the Garden State Parkway, from exits 63 to 80, was shut down for several hours while traffic was rerouted.

The fire broke out during a period of high wildfire risk, as the region is currently facing dry to severely dry conditions, based on data from the US Drought Monitor.

Experts point to climate change as a major reason behind the rising number and intensity of wildfires, as well as the increased likelihood of drought conditions that help fuel them.

Global average temperatures hit a record high in 2024, exacerbating extreme heatwaves, storms, and floods that affected billions worldwide. This marked the first time the planet exceeded the 1.5°C [2.7°F] threshold agreed upon as a target under the Paris Climate Accord. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres criticized the fossil fuel industry, saying it was “pocketing profits while their products wreak havoc.”