N.J. wildfire grows to nearly 200 acres, continues to threaten homes, officials say

A wildfire in Ocean County that caused the evacuation of multiple homes in the area had grown to 175 acres Wednesday night, authorities said.
The New Jersey Forest Fire Service said it was making progress containing the blaze, which was burning in the Colliers Mills Wildlife Management Area near Stump Tavern Road in Jackson Township. As of 8 p.m. it was 20% contained.
Twenty five structures in the area of that road were threatened by the fire, which had caused the evacuation of six homes on the west side of the road, the service said.
There were also voluntary evacuations on the east side of Stump Tavern Road, but it was unclear how people actually left their homes.
The road was closed from Route 571 to Route 528 in town as crews burned fuel in the blaze’s path to slow it down and try to contain it — a process known as backfiring, fire officials said.
Fire trucks and bulldozers were also on scene, authorities said.
Smoke from the wildfire was drifting throughout the area and was seen throughout Monmouth County, including in Tinton Falls and Ocean Township.
The cause of the fire was still under investigation Wednesday night as dry conditions continued to plague the Garden State.
The lack of rain and higher-than-normal temperatures have sparked multiple wildfires in the past few weeks.
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Chris Sheldon may be reached at [email protected].