Three counties in New Jersey are under an air quality alert due to smoke from the massive wildfire ripping through Ocean County. As of 9 a.m. Wednesday, southern coastal areas of New Jersey were listed in the “red zone” with an air quality index of 173, according to AirNow. When AQI values are above 100, air quality is considered unhealthy. As a result, the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection declared an Air Quality Action Day, called when the Air Quality Index gets into unhealthy ranges. The air quality alert...

A business in an industrial complex has been destroyed, but no homes in Ocean County have suffered damage as a result of a large wildfire that broke out on Tuesday. Liberty Door & Awning on Old Shore Road in Lacey was destroyed during a fire that as of late Tuesday had burned 8,500 acres and was only 10% contained. Kevin Lowe, the plant manager of neighboring business Johnson Screens, said he and coworkers realized the seriousness of the fire at about 5 p.m. Tuesday. They saw large plumes of white...

An air quality alert was reported by the National Weather Service on Wednesday at 9:24 a.m. in effect until Thursday at midnight for Ocean, Atlantic, Cape May and Burlington counties. "The New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection has declared an Air Quality Action Day for Fine Particulates, until midnight tonight. This is the result of the ongoing wildfires across eastern Ocean County NJ," states the weather service. Guidance for air quality alerts: Insights from the weather service When an air quality alert is in effect, following the weather service guidance...

This image of an automobile on USS Yorktown first discovered during the April 19 dive and further explored on April 20 shows the car’s boxy shape, canvas top, chrome bumper and spare tire on the back. NOAA Ocean Exploration, 2025 Beyond The Blue During the April 20 Papahānaumokuākea ROV and Mapping expedition dive, we imaged this automobile, likely 1940-41 Ford Super Deluxe ‘Woody,’ in the hangar deck of USS Yorktown. NOAA Ocean Exploration, 2025 Beyond The Blue The front plate of the automobile discovered in the hangar of USS Yorktown...

A massive wildfire continued to burn in New Jersey on Wednesday, spanning over 8,500 acres and prompting the evacuation of 3,000 people, which snarled traffic and sent huge plumes of black smoke billowing into the sky. The Jones Road Wildfire started in the Greenwood Forest Wildlife Management area in Ocean County on Tuesday afternoon and exploded in size to 8,500 acres by 10:30 p.m., the New Jersey Forest Fire Service said. The blaze was fueled by strong 25 mph gusts that whipped through the area. As of Tuesday evening, the...

This May, 10 towns across Union and Morris counties will join forces to promote mental health awareness through the “Paint the Town Green” campaign. Led by the New Providence Mental Health Advocacy & Education Committee, in partnership with the Kimberly Anne Wilson Foundation, the Rotary Club of MH Advocates, and the Mental Health Association in New Jersey (MHANJ), the initiative aims to engage students, businesses and citizens in fostering support for mental health during Mental Health Awareness Month.

Firefighters have made enough progress on a massive wildfire burning in Ocean County for officials to fully reopen both the Garden State Parkway and Route 9 on Wednesday morning. In addition, all evacuation orders in Lacey have been lifted and residents are allowed to return home. About 25,000 homes and businesses remain without power early Wednesday, Jersey Central Power & Light said. Smoky conditions still exist and people traveling through the area are advised to be careful. As of 10:45 p.m. Tuesday the fire in Lacey and Ocean townships had...

The 10th Annual Hooked On Fishing - Not On Drugs Youth Fishing Challenge\, sponsored by the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection Fish & Wildlife’s Hooked on Fishing - Not on Drugs Program, will take place on June 7 and June 8 at sites in all 21 counties of New Jersey. The free statewide event aims to promote fishing among youth and their families. On June 7, which is Free Fishing Day, a fishing license and trout stamp will not be required for anyone age 16 and over. However, on...

A massive, rapidly expanding wildfire has surged to 8,500 acres in Ocean County as of Tuesday night and forced the evacuation of 3,000 residents along with multiple closures of major roads. The New Jersey Forest Fire Service said the “Jones Road Forest Fire” is 10% contained as 10:46 p.m. and a total of 1,320 structures were being threatened by the flames. “Multiple evacuation shelters have been established,” the Forest Fire Service said. “Southern Regional High School is open to evacuees with pets.” About 25,000 homes and businesses were without power...