A massive wildfire burning in Ocean County, New Jersey, has triggered air quality alerts across New York City, Long Island, and parts of the lower Hudson Valley, with smoke from the growing blaze affecting the region’s atmosphere and public health.
The Jones Road Wildfire, now spanning 13,250 acres, is only 50% contained as of Wednesday evening, officials said. Originating in the Greenwood Forest Wildfire Management Area, the fire is being called one of the largest in New Jersey in nearly two decades.
Air Quality Impact
The Air Quality Index (AQI) in NYC and Long Island reached 101 on Thursday, a level considered “unhealthy for sensitive groups”, according to AirNow, the federal air quality monitoring service. Alerts are in effect for all five boroughs of NYC, Long Island, Westchester, and Rockland Counties, and will remain active through midnight Thursday.
Health officials have advised people with respiratory or cardiovascular conditions, children, and the elderly to limit outdoor activities during this period of degraded air quality.
Evacuations and Road Closures
Roughly 5,000 residents in Lacey and Ocean Townships were ordered to evacuate Tuesday night, with evacuation orders lifted by Wednesday. However, road closures remain in place, including:
- Route 532 (Wells Mills Road) between Route 72 and the Garden State Parkway
- Bryant Road between Wells Mills Road and Route 539
- Jones Road between Route 532 and Bryant Road
State of Emergency Declared
In response to the growing threat, Acting Governor Tahesha Way declared a state of emergency for Ocean County. “At this time, we have no loss of life and no homes have been harmed,” she said in a post on X (formerly Twitter), urging residents to follow directions from emergency officials.
Teen Arrested for Starting Blaze
Authorities have arrested 19-year-old Joseph Kling in connection with the wildfire. He allegedly started a bonfire and left the area without extinguishing it completely, which led to the wildfire’s ignition. Kling has been charged with aggravated arson and arson, and is currently being held at the Ocean County Jail pending a detention hearing.
Officials continue to monitor the fire’s progress and containment efforts while urging the public to stay alert and adhere to safety advisories.
Sources By Agencies
