New Jersey fire: more than 5,000 forced evacuations and air pollution warnings

A wildfire has had the New Jersey region in the spotlight in recent hours.

An update Thursday morning from theCounty Forest Fire Servicesaid the fire had burned about 13,250 acres and was 50 percent contained.

The fire, which broke out around 12:30 p. m. Tuesday in the Greenwood Forest Wildlife Management Area in Barnegat Township, soon spread to Lacey townships.and Ocean, forcing the latter to declare a state of emergency.

The blaze has led to the closure of some major roads and the evacuation of at least 5,000 people, according to local media.

New Jersey fires spread and roads shut down.

All traffic on the main Garden State Parkway was detoured as the fire grew rapidly Tuesday threatening 1,320 structures. In the last few hours the highway was reopened with certain levels of safety and several warnings.

Aerial images broadcast by NBC Philadelphia showed long lines of vehicles virtually immobilizedas drivers sought alternate routes. The situation was exacerbated by weather conditions, with southern Ocean County and much of the state facing a drought or anomalously dry scenario, according to the U.S. Drought Monitor.

Worst fire in 20 years

At a Wednesday conference, state officials said the fire, then 30 percent contained, could become the worst fire in 20 years.

No injuries were reported at the moment. "Thanks to the incredible and heroic work of the good men and women of the New Jersey Forest Fire Service, the homes and lives of many people have been saved and we have averted a catastrophe of major proportions," said Shawn LaTourette, New Jersey Commissioner of Environmental Protection.