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By Anna Skinner
Associate News Editor
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Officials in New Jersey have issued an air quality alert for Atlantic City and surrounding areas as a massive wildfire continues to rage across Ocean County, blanketing parts of the state in smoke. The New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP) declared an Air Quality Action Day for Fine Particulates on Wednesday, urging residents—especially those with respiratory conditions—to remain indoors as unhealthy conditions persist.
The warning area impacts roughly 70,000 people.
Why It Matters
The alert, effective until midnight, follows the explosive spread of the Jones Road wildfire, which has burned through roughly 8,500 acres in the Greenwood Forest Wildlife Management Area. The fire, first reported Tuesday, rapidly expanded because of dry conditions and high winds, prompting a state of emergency and forcing thousands to evacuate.
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Officials are emphasizing the public health impact of the fire, particularly for vulnerable populations.
What to Know
The NJDEP issued the air quality alert on Wednesday morning as Atlantic City and surrounding areas were experiencing unhealthy air quality levels, in which the Air Quality Index (AQI) falls between 151 and 200.
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"Some members of the general public may experience health effects; members of sensitive groups may experience more serious health effects," U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) website AirNow said about unhealthy air quality.
A spokesperson with NJDEP referred Newsweek to an alert about the poor air quality when reached for comment.
"Sensitive individuals, including those with heart or lung disease, the elderly, and the young should limit strenuous activities and the amount of time active outdoors," the alert said.
Unseasonably warm temperatures are exacerbating the situation, with light winds pushing the smoke southward, the alert said.
"Following the peripheral of high pressure, winds are expected to rotate in clockwise direction, eventually becoming southeasterly, aiding in the development of a sea breeze and potentially shifting smoke transportation northward," the forecast said. "By evening, a surface trough is expected to develop, which may cause residual smoke aloft to transport towards the surface. Light winds are expected to prevail, potentially keeping transport levels low and aiding in containment of the wildfire."
The New Jersey Forest Fire Service said the fire was 30 percent contained as of Wednesday morning.
What People Are Saying
The New Jersey air quality alert sent to Newsweek: "Smoke from a large active wildfire in Ocean County, specifically Ocean and Lacey Townships, is causing current local levels to reach the unhealthy for sensitive groups (USG) category, with isolated areas reaching the unhealthy category."
Fox 29 anchor Bob Kelly posted on X, formerly Twitter: "HEALTH ALERT. Smoke from the forest fire heading south along the Jersey shoreline from Long Beach Island all the way to Cape May. This is video from Brigantine. Keep your windows and doors closed, and anyone with asthma should definitely stay inside."
What Happens Next
An air quality official told Newsweek that the NJDEP is monitoring the situation and will update the alert if necessary. Rain is expected this weekend, which could improve the air quality.
Residents across New Jersey are advised to stay updated via AirNow for real-time air quality readings and continue taking precautions as advised by local health authorities.
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