Wildfires in New Jersey explode to 8,500 acres, force mass evacuations and threaten structures: 10 points

A massive wildfire continued to burn New Jersey on Wednesday, spanning over 8,500 acres and prompting the evacuation of 3,000 people. The officials lifted earlier evacuation orders and a stretch of a major highway that was closed due to the blaze has reopened.

A fast-moving wildfire in New Jersey’s Ocean County forced around 3,000 residents to evacuate and shut down a section of one of the busiest highways in the state Tuesday night.

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Here are ten things on New Jersey's wildfires:

- Thousands of New Jersey residents who were forced to flee the fast-moving flames of a wildfire Tuesday have been given the all-clear to return home. However, officials urged people to remain vigilant as thick smoke continues to choke communities close to the Jersey Shore.

-More than 1,300 structures were threatened and about 3,000 residents had been evacuated, the New Jersey Forest Fire Service said. Officials said Wednesday morning that evacuation orders were lifted.

-Video released by the state agency overseeing the fire service showed billowing white and black clouds of smoke, intense flames engulfing pines and firefighters dousing a charred structure.

-New Jersey Acting Gov. Tahesha Way declared a State of Emergency in Ocean County starting at 8 a.m. due to the ongoing response to the Jones Road Wildfire, according to Fox Weather.

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-The Jersey Central Power and Light Company cut power to about 25,000 customers at the request of the Forest Fire Service and the wildfire’s command post Tuesday evening, including thousands in Barnegat Township.

-The fire in the Greenwood Forest Wildlife Management Area burned more than 13 square miles (34 square kilometers) of land, fire officials said. The blaze, burning in Ocean and Lacey Townships in Ocean County, was only about 10% contained Tuesday night.

-Ocean Township and Lacey Township police said all mandatory evacuation orders were lifted as of 6:30 a.m. Wednesday.

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-The fire also triggered a major traffic slowdown Tuesday evening with road closures along the Garden State Parkway. This morning, the New Jersey State Police announced that the Garden State Parkway and Route 9 near the fire zone are now open again.

-Harrowing videos and photos shared on social media show orange flames consuming the forest area, and thick orange and black smoke rising into the sky.

-By the afternoon, a 180-degree wind shift will push smoke north toward the New York City metro area by tonight. By Thursday morning, smoky skies are possible for New York City, parts of Long Island, and north-central New Jersey.

(With inputs from AP)