Wildfire prompts State of Emergency, evacuations and parish response in Ocean County
April 23, 2025 at 3:02 p.m.
Ocean County’s explosive Jones Road Wildfire, which began April 22 and by latest estimates has burned 11,500 acres, is impacting the lives of thousands of residents, including many members of the Catholic community and the parishes to which they belong.
Still only 10 percent contained, the fast-moving fire continues to burn through the Greenwood Forest Wildlife Management Area after having caused mandatory evacuations, major road closures – including the Garden State Parkway -- widespread power outages and poor air quality.
In response to the fire’s rapid spread, Acting Gov. Tahesha Way declared a State of Emergency, April 23, for Ocean County, according to the State of New Jersey website. More than 1,000 structures in Lacey, Ocean, and Barnegat townships have been destroyed, according to media reports.
Facebook photoSt. Mary Parish was forced to close its Barnegat location due to the power outage, but its Manahawkin worship site, St. Mary of the Pines, was open and the adjacent parish center was quickly set up to serve as a shelter to area evacuees. The parish is providing updates and resources to the community through its social media platforms. The parish’s school, St. Mary Academy, was out for the Easter break and students were not affected.
According to a statement posted by Jersey Central Power & Light, electric service is expected to be restored by 6 p.m. to all 25,000 customers in southern Ocean County who lost power as a result of the wildfire.
More to come on this story.
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Ocean County’s explosive Jones Road Wildfire, which began April 22 and by latest estimates has burned 11,500 acres, is impacting the lives of thousands of residents, including many members of the Catholic community and the parishes to which they belong.
Still only 10 percent contained, the fast-moving fire continues to burn through the Greenwood Forest Wildlife Management Area after having caused mandatory evacuations, major road closures – including the Garden State Parkway -- widespread power outages and poor air quality.
In response to the fire’s rapid spread, Acting Gov. Tahesha Way declared a State of Emergency, April 23, for Ocean County, according to the State of New Jersey website. More than 1,000 structures in Lacey, Ocean, and Barnegat townships have been destroyed, according to media reports.
Facebook photoSt. Mary Parish was forced to close its Barnegat location due to the power outage, but its Manahawkin worship site, St. Mary of the Pines, was open and the adjacent parish center was quickly set up to serve as a shelter to area evacuees. The parish is providing updates and resources to the community through its social media platforms. The parish’s school, St. Mary Academy, was out for the Easter break and students were not affected.
According to a statement posted by Jersey Central Power & Light, electric service is expected to be restored by 6 p.m. to all 25,000 customers in southern Ocean County who lost power as a result of the wildfire.
More to come on this story.