Overview

• The wildfire, which started Tuesday morning in Greenwood Forest Wildlife Management Area, has rapidly expanded to 3,200 acres by Tuesday night.
• Mandatory evacuations have been ordered for 3,000 residents, with shelters available at Waretown United Methodist Church and Southern Regional High School.
• The fire has threatened 1,320 structures and caused over 25,000 power outages across Ocean County, according to Jersey Central Power & Light.
• Major transportation routes, including a stretch of the Garden State Parkway, remain closed along with several local roads, disrupting travel in the area.
• Firefighting efforts include aerial water drops and ground crews, though the fire is only 5% contained, and its cause is still under investigation.