New Jersey wildfire forces thousands to evacuate

A wildfire broke out on Tuesday in eastern New Jersey, expanding to 8,500 acres by Tuesday night. Authorities have evacuated thousands of residents as the fire in the Greenwood Forest Wildlife Management Area in Ocean County continues to spread along the East Coast. The New Jersey Forest Fire Service reported that the blaze is only 10% contained. About 3,000 residents in Ocean and Lacey townships have been evacuated, with approximately 1,320 structures under threat. Road closures have been implemented, including Route 9 in Lacey Township. Power outages affected over 25,000 customers in Ocean County, with Jersey Central Power and Light Company cutting power to prevent further risk. The cause of the fire is currently under investigation. Senator Cory Booker urged residents to heed warnings and instructions from emergency services. On average, New Jersey experiences 1,500 wildfires annually causing damage to 7,000 acres.