On Tuesday, the 23rd, a New Jersey wildfire ignited in Ocean County. Threatening more than 1000 buildings, the fire caused a major highway to shut down. Thousands of civilians had to flee in order to escape the flames. By Wednesday, firefighters claimed they were getting the upper hand on the fire, with it being halfway contained by 7 pm according to New Jersey Forest Fire Officials.
According to New Jersey’s commissioner of Environmental Protection, Shawn LaTourette, this fire could be the largest wildfire seen or recorded in New Jersey in 20 years, and that they expect it to grow. Residents are continuously being cautioned to stay alert after the evacuation has been lifted.
Chief Bill Donnelly of the New Jersey Forest Fire Service recently stated at a conference meeting that officers will continue to work on containing the fire.
