A fast-moving wildfire sweeping through parts of New Jersey’s Pine Barrens has scorched over 20 square miles (52 square kilometers), but officials confirmed Wednesday that no injuries have been reported.
The blaze, which is affecting Lacey and Ocean townships in southern New Jersey, is expected to continue spreading in the coming days until rain arrives later this week. While the fire has destroyed a commercial building and several vehicles, it has not resulted in any fatalities or injuries so far.
Approximately 5,000 residents were evacuated as a precaution but have since been allowed to return to their homes. As of Wednesday evening, 12 structures remained at risk as firefighting crews continued to battle the flames.
Officials are closely monitoring the situation, warning that conditions could shift before the anticipated weather brings relief.
“This is still a very active fire,” said Department of Environmental Protection Commissioner Shawn LaTourette. “As we continue to get this under full control the expectation is that the number of acres will grow and will grow in a place that is unpopulated.”
Officials said the fire is believed to be the second-worst in the last two decades, smaller only than a 2007 blaze that burned 26 square miles (67 square kilometers).
The Garden State Parkway, one of New Jersey's busiest highways, reopened Wednesday morning after officials closed a roughly 7-mile (12-kilometer) stretch in the southern part of the state.
Acting Gov. Tahesha Way declared a state of emergency early Wednesday as officials said they've contained about 50% of the wildfire.
Video released by the state agency overseeing the fire service showed billowing white and black clouds of smoke, intense flames engulfing pines and firefighters dousing a charred structure.
The cause of the fire is still under investigation, authorities said.
Forest fires are a common occurrence in the Pine Barrens, a 1.1 million-acre (445,000-hectare) state and federally protected reserve about the size of the Grand Canyon lying halfway between Philadelphia to the west and the Atlantic coast to the east. The region, with its quick-draining sandy soil, is in peak forest fire season. The trees are still developing leaves, humidity remains low and winds can kick up, drying out the forest floor.
It's a vast wilderness in the country's most densely populated state. LaTourette, the DEP commissioner, said the fire is straddling an area on the edge of wilderness and residential areas.
“It’s the interface where the environment and development meet,” he said.
The area had been under a severe drought until recently, when early spring rains helped dampen the region, but officials cautioned recent low humidity and a dry stretch have heightened the risk of fire.
The Jersey Central Power and Light Company cut power to about 25,000 customers at the request of the Forest Fire Service and the wildfire’s command post Tuesday evening. By late Wednesday afternoon, power had been restored.