Heightened wildfire risk in region as 15,300-acre Jones Road Fire still burns in NJ, and Pa. battles a new blaze

Beatrice Forman and Frank Kummer, The Philadelphia Inquirer on Apr 25, 2025

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The National Weather Service has warned of "an increased risk" for rapid wildfire spread across New Jersey and eastern Pennsylvania as Ocean County's Jones Road Fire remains only partially contained.

The warning runs through from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Friday, covering the entirety of South Jersey and Philadelphia, as well as Jim Thorpe, where a 560-acre wildfire a quarter of a mile from downtown was last reported as being 95% contained.

Added to the combustible mix: Two separate fires burning at Michaux State Forest near Gettysburg totaling 1,350 acres.

Why are there so many wildfires?

Wildfires spread most quickly when temperatures are high, humidity is low, and wind remains steady. Friday is forecast to have temperatures between 70 and 80 degrees, relative humidity under 35%, and gusts of wind near 25 mph.

It's also peak wildfire season for the Philly region amid an moderate to severe drought conditions in both states.

"These conditions, along with the continued drying of fine fuels, could support the rapid spread of any fires that ignite, which could quickly become difficult to control," the National Weather Service said.

The NWS is discouraging outdoor burning and asking that all potential ignition sources — including cigarette butts — be disposed of properly.

Friday's weather will be particularly challenging for crews going into their fourth day of battling the Jones Road Fire, a blaze miles from the Jersey Shore in Ocean County that has since swelled to cover 15,250 acres.

The fire was 60% contained as of Friday, according to the New Jersey Forest Fire Service, and threatens four unspecified structures, down from eight earlier in the day.

The blaze started at about 9:45 a.m. Tuesday inside Ocean Townships's Forked River Mountain Wilderness Area near Jones and Bryant Roads. Since then, the fire has spread from the Greenwood Forest Wildlife Management Area to the Pinelands wilderness, burning for four straight days.

No injuries have been reported, but the inferno has destroyed several vehicles and one commercial building, according to the state's forest fire service. Acting Gov. Tahesha Way declared a state of emergency Tuesday as more than 5,000 people in neighboring Ocean and Lacey Townships were ordered to evacuate. They have since returned home.

Arson

Joseph Kling, 19, of Waretown, was arrested at his home Wednesday morning and charged with arson, according to a joint statement from Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer and New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection Commissioner Shawn M. LaTourette.

Kling set flame to several wooden pallets to start a bonfire Tuesday morning, the statement said, and then left them to burn unattended. Kling is being held at Ocean County Jail pending a detention hearing scheduled for Tuesday.

LaTourette has repeatedly told reporters that the Jones Road Fire could grow to become New Jersey's largest wildfire in 18 years, when 17,000 acres in the same general area burned for days in 2007.

New Jersey has had an especially damaging wildfire season this year, which meteorologists and fire experts expect to calm by mid-May. Over 16,500 have burned across 662 wildfires, New Jersey Forest Fire Service chief Bill Donnelly said, compared to only 315 acres of damage by this time in 2024.

Pennsylvania's wildfires

But Pennsylvania has also had its challenges this week, with a blaze starting on Bear Mountain Saturday one quarter mile from homes in the tourist mecca of Jim Thorpe, Carbon County.

That fire was near fully under control by Thursday.

However, two separate wildfires broke out in Michaux State Forest in Cumberland County starting Wednesday, according to Wesley Robinson, a spokesperson for the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR).

The Thompson Hollow Fire started at around 5 p.m. on Wednesday and has spread to about 1,150 acres as of Friday afternoon, Robinson said. No buildings were burned but homes in the area that were asked by local officials to evacuate out of caution.

Shippensburg/Baltimore and Thompson Hollow Roads are closed indefinitely.

The Hammond's Rocks Fire broke out at around 11 a.m. on Thursday and has spread to around 200 acres.

No structures are currently at risk, but Ridge Road and Cold Springs Road are closed.

DCNR firefighters are being supported by the Cumberland County Commissioners, Cumberland County Emergency Agency, local volunteer firefighters, PennDOT, Appalachian Trail and National Park Service, Pennsylvania Game Commission, and Bureau of Forestry Fire Warden Crews.

"The greatest danger of wildfires in Pennsylvania occurs during the spring months of March, April, and May, and the autumn months of October and November," Robinson said. "In Pennsylvania, 99% of all wildfires are caused by people."

He said burning of vegetation such as leaves, equipment use, power lines, and campfires are some of the most common causes of wildfires in Pennsylvania.