- Three buildings in Lacey’s industrial park were ignited by the fire, with one considered a total loss.
- Evacuations were ordered in several areas, including the Pheasant Run age-restricted community, with residents initially sheltered at the Charles A. Smith Community Center before being moved to Manchester Township High School.
- Emergency responders from across the state are assisting in battling the fire and providing support to evacuees.
LACEY — A massive wildfire ignited three buildings in Lacey’s industrial park on Tuesday and led to evacuations throughout the township, including within an age-restricted community.
Mayor Peter “Pete” Curatolo said one of the three damaged buildings in the industrial park was a loss due to what the New Jersey Forest Fire Service has named the Jones Road wildfire. As of 10:30 p.m., the fire had burned about 8,500 acres, threatened 1,320 structures and led to the evacuation of some 3,000 Ocean County residents, according to the Forest Fire Service.
The wildfire also triggered mandatory evacuations in portions of Lacey, including in the Pheasant Run age-restricted community, Curatolo said. About 35 residents were initially taken to a shelter at the Charles A. Smith Community Center. However, the mayor — who works at the Ocean County Health Department and helped with a shelter during Superstorm Sandy — knew Lacey residents would need another shelter facility quickly.
“All I had was water (at the shelter). We had no medications, no cots, no blankets, no clothing… and we had no power,” he told the Asbury Park Press late Tuesday night. “You’re talking about a senior population. You’re talking about folks that could be infirm.”
The community center had only emergency lighting, he said. Curatolo said he reached out to Ocean County Sheriff Michael Mastronardy and made other shelter arrangements.
“We were able to transition people,” he said. “We got a couple of school busses, and we got people going to Manchester (Township) High School.”
The fire also led to evacuations in the Forked River section of the township near Beach Boulevard, after the flames crossed Route 9, he said.
Ocean County fire: Wildfire in Lacey, Waretown grows to 3,200 acres; 3,000 evacuated
As of 10 p.m., mandatory evacuations were in effect along South Barnegat Pines south of Lakeside Drive South, Beach Boulevard from Route 9 to the Lacey Elks, and all of the areas in between Route 9 and the Lacey Elks, including Clune Park, Orlando Drive, Sandy Hook Drive, Clubhouse Drive and surrounding streets, according to Lacey Police.
Fire was still burning at the Lacey industrial park late Tuesday night, and sections of township remained without power, Curatolo said.
“So far, it’s all good news. There’s been no loss of life,” he said, but noted that the risk was not over.
“This is really fluid,” the mayor said. “What we have now is, if the winds change tonight and blow harder and blow northbound, there could be other evacuations.”
The mayor implored residents to follow directions of police and emergency personnel.
Meanwhile, emergency responders from across the region have come to help, he said.
“Our local mayors really rallied around us,” said Curatolo. “I couldn’t tell you the exhaustive list of how many fire departments helped to respond. I heard from our administrator that actually Sussex County was down here.”
Traffic: Garden State Parkway, Route 9 closed due to Ocean County wildfire
County officials as well as leaders in Lakewood and Berkeley were among the many people throughout the area who offered their ambulances, fire trucks and emergency generators, he said.
“Our emergency services, police and fire, and EMS worked in perfect concert, and we’re receiving help from all around the state,” the mayor said.
Amanda Oglesby is an Ocean County native who covers education and the environment. She has worked for the Press for more than 17 years. Reach her at @OglesbyAPP, [email protected] or 732-557-5701.
