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(Lacey Township, NJ) — The Ocean County wildfire that’s consumed 12-thousand-500 acres could become New Jersey’s largest in nearly two decades. It’s being fed by pine needles and dry leaves, but progress is being made and New Jersey Forest Service Fire Chief Bill Donnelly says it’s now 40-percent contained as of Wednesday (April 24, 2025).
Hundreds of firefighters are battling the blaze which was first spotted Tuesday morning in Barnegat Township and spread to Lacey and Ocean Townships. One business was destroyed. Donnelly expects full containment at just over 15-thousand acres, hopefully by Friday night into Saturday with rain in the forecast.
Smoke from the massive fire is causing the New York City’s emergency management office to issue an air quality health advisory with a slight decline in air quality. The average New Yorker probably won’t notice a change in the air except for some minor haze. Little to no impact is expected for healthy groups, but those who are especially sensitive to smoke, like the elderly and people with heart and lung conditions, could experience health effects and should probably limit their time outdoors.
