BARNEGAT, N.J. — A fast-moving forest fire in Southern Ocean County has prompted a voluntary evacuation in multiple residential neighborhoods in Barnegat Township as shifting winds continue to push the fire closer to homes.
Barnegat Police announced Monday that residents in the Windward, Mirage, Pheasant Run, Heritage Point North, Brookville communities, and along West Bay Avenue in those areas are being asked to evacuate as a precaution. Authorities cited unpredictable wind patterns as the primary reason for the expanded evacuation request.
Two shelters have been opened for displaced residents. The United Methodist Church on Bryant Road in Waretown is accepting evacuees, while Southern Regional High School has also been designated as a shelter location.
The wildfire, already threatening hundreds of homes, remains under active suppression by state and local fire personnel. Backfiring operations are ongoing through the night to contain the spread of flames.
No injuries have been reported, and officials continue to monitor the situation closely as containment efforts progress.
Key Points
- Voluntary evacuation issued for six neighborhoods in Barnegat Township
- Shelters set up at United Methodist Church in Waretown and Southern Regional High School
- Forest fire continues to threaten hundreds of homes amid shifting winds
Residents are urged to remain alert and prepared to evacuate as fire conditions evolve overnight.
A wildfire on the move has triggered urgent evacuations across Barnegat as shifting winds fan the flames.