April 23 (UPI) -- Evacuation orders were lifted for 5,000 residents Wednesday as the Jones Road Wildfire along the East Coast grew to 12,000 acres, authorities said. It was 35% contained by Wednesday afternoon.
According to the New Jersey Forest Fire Service, the Jones Road Wildfire ignited Tuesday in the Greenwood Forest Wildlife Management Area in Ocean County.
By 1:18 p.m. EDT Wednesday, the fire service said it had grown to approximately 12,000 acres and was 35% contained.
"Full containment is anticipated at 15,410 acres," the fire service statement said.
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Evacuations were lifted by 1 p.m. EDT Wednesday for the approximately 5,000 residents evacuated Tuesday in Ocean and Lacey Townships.
One commercial building was destroyed and multiple outbuildings and vehicles were destroyed as a damage assessment was still underway.
The fire destroyed Liberty Door & Awning in Lacey Township.
"My life is in the warehouse, It's been my business for the past thirty years," owner Bob Nosti told NBC10. He said there were over a thousand doors ready to install stored in the warehouse.
No deaths or injuries were reported from the fire.
New Jersey Commissioner of Environmental Protection Shawn LaTourette said during a Wednesday morning press conference, "Thanks to the incredible, heroic work of the good men and women of our New Jersey fire service folks, homes and lives have been saved and we truly averted a major disaster."
LaTourette added fire officials expect the fire to continue to grow and it could be the biggest wildfire in New Jersey in 20 years.
Acting New Jersey Gov. Tahesha Way declared a state of emergency in the county impacted by the Jones Road fire effective 7 a.m. Wednesday.
"Yesterday, our State Forest Fire Service informed us of a wildfire in Ocean Township, Ocean County. Due to its accelerated growth, with an estimated burn of 8,500 acres, threatening more than 1,000 structures, requiring the evacuation of residents in the area, and the loss of power to over 25,000 residents, I am declaring a State of Emergency for Ocean County," Way said in a Wednesday statement.
"Damage assessments underway," the fire service said.
Several roads have been closed due to the fire, including Route 9 in Lacey Township, where police said earlier Wednesday that it will remain that way for the "foreseeable future."
More than 18,916 customers in Ocean County were still without electricity early Wednesday afternoon, according to Poweroutage.us.
Jersey Central Power and Light Company confirmed in a statement on X that it had earlier cut power to some 25,000 customers at the request of the forest fire service to de-energize all power lines in and out of its Oyster Creek substation.
"We do not anticipate restoring power tonight," it said in a Tuesday night statement. "We will work to restore power to customers as we are safely able, including through tying areas to neighboring lines where safe and possible."
The cause of the fire is under investigation.
"My office is closely monitoring the Jones Road Wildfire, Sen. Cory Booker, D-N.J., said in a statement on X.
"Please follow warnings and directions from local and state emergency services."
According to the New Jersey Forest Fire Service's website, there are an average of 1,500 wildfires a year that damage or destroy 7,000 acres.
