What is the name and location of the wildfire?

As of May 2, 2025, the Jones Road Fire is active in the Greenwood Forest Wildlife Management Area, spanning parts of Barnegat Township and Lacey Township in Ocean County, New Jersey (1). This area lies within the Pine Barrens, a large, protected forested region in southern New Jersey.

3,000 area residents were initially evacuated, but evacuation orders were lifted on Wednesday morning.

Which cities or areas are affected by the wildfire?

The wildfire has directly impacted the communities of Barnegat Township, Lacey Township, and surrounding areas in Ocean County, New Jersey (2).

Wildfire smoke has impacted air quality in several New Jersey cities, including:

• Atlantic City
• Brigantine
• Cape May
• Galloway

Power outages and evacuations have affected these towns, and the nearby Garden State Parkway was also temporarily closed due to the fire.

What is the current containment status of the wildfire?

As of May 2, the fire has burned over 15,300 acres and is approximately 80% contained. Firefighting efforts are ongoing (3).

Are there any evacuation orders or alerts in place?

Mandatory evacuation orders were issued Tuesday for parts of Barnegat and Lacey Townships but were lifted by Wednesday morning as conditions improved. A state of emergency was declared by Acting Governor Tahesha Way. 

Public health advisories were also issued due to deteriorating air quality, and power outages affected over 25,000 residents. Shelters were opened at two local high schools to accommodate evacuees.

How can I protect myself from wildfire smoke?

Always plan ahead to protect yourself from wildfire smoke.

• Get a free air quality app for real-time air quality alerts and forecasts.
• Shut doors and windows and set the HVAC to recirculate mode.
• Run a high-performance air purifier to filter wildfire smoke.
• Contribute to your community’s outdoor air quality data.
• Stay indoors; if you do need to go outdoors, wear a KN95/FFP2 mask.

As of May 2, 2025, this fire is 80% contained.