Smoke plumes from the Jones Wildfire in Barnegat can be seen outside of the German Butcher in Forked River on April 22, 2025. (Patch Contributor)

This article was last updated at 10 p.m. Tuesday.

BARNEGAT, NJ — The forest fire that started burning in Barnegat Tuesday has grown to 3,200 acres and moved north in Waretown and Lacey, authorities said.

The blaze is 5 percent contained as of Tuesday night. The fire is threatening 1,320 structures and 3,000 people have been evacuated.

Roads are closed, including the Parkway, which is expected to be closed until midnight, according to Barnegat police. Residents should plan alternate routes in the morning in case the closure is extended.

Mandatory evacuations are underway for those on Wells Mills Road from Bryant Road to the Garden State Parkway in Waretown, officials said.

A shelter is open at Southern Regional High School in Manahawkin. This shelter is pet-friendly.

In Lacey, Pheasant Run and Barnegat Pines South Section are under mandatory evacuation. Beach Boulevard and surrounding areas of Clune Park including South River Drive, Sandy Hook Drive and Orlando Drive are also under mandatory evacuation. Residents can go to Manchester Township High School. The community center, formerly serving as a shelter, lost power and is no longer operating as one.

Voluntary evacuations were issued out of precaution for Windward, Mirage, Pheasant Run, Heritage Point North, Brookville and all houses on West Bay Avenue in those areas in Barnegat.

The Ocean County Sherriff’s Office said that the Garden State Parkway is closed in both directions from Exit 74 South to Exit 63 North. Drivers are asked to take alternate routes and expect delays. Exit 69 has reopened to help with evacuation efforts.

New Jersey Forest Fire Service officials have dubbed the blaze the Jones Wildfire and are on the scene working on containment.

The county has issued an air quality alert due to the fire. Read more: Wildfire Prompts Public Health Alert In Ocean County

An estimated 23,000 JCP&L customers lost power Tuesday as the company cut power lines in and out of their Oyster Creek substation. This is to help keep the crews battling the fire safe. The estimated time of restoration is 12:30 p.m. Wednesday.

“Safety is our top priority and all restoration timing will be determined by the safety of firefighters, our crews and the public,” JCP&L said. “We appreciate your patience and understanding during this time.”

The fire is within the Greenwood Forest Wildlife Management Area which spans Barnegat, Berkeley, Lacey, Manchester, Waretown and Woodland townships.

These roads are currently closed as of 6 p.m. Tuesday:

• Garden State Parkway in both directions between Exit 80 South and Exit 63 North
• Route 9 in Lacey in both directions from Lacey Road to Lakeside Drive South
• Route 532 (Wells Mills Road) between Route 72 and the Garden State Parkway
• Bryant Road between Route 532 and Route 539
• Jones Road between Route 532 and Bryant Road

Joining the Forest Fire Service are numerous local, county and state crews.

The cause of the fire is under investigation.

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