Day 3: Jones Road Wildfire continues to burn through 23 sq. miles of NJ forest

🔥 The wildfire is expected to burn through the weekend

🔥 It is expected to grow before being fully contained

🔥 A Boy Scout camp has been spared damage from the fire

The Jones Road Wildfire burns for a third day in Ocean County for a third day.

The NJ Forest Fire Service says the wildfire has burned through more than 23 square miles (15,000 acres) in Barnegat, Lacey and Ocean township as of Thursday afternoon and is 50% contained.

🔥8 structures are threatened by the fire but all roadways have been reopened.

🔥 The Ocean County Sheriff's Office cautioned about air quality, saying “smoke will continue to permeate the area.” Emergency personnel will be on site for the next few days.

“This is still a very active fire,” New Jersey's Department of Environmental Protection Commissioner Shawn LaTourette said Wednesday. “As we continue to get this under full control the expectation is that the number of acres will grow and will grow in a place that is unpopulated.”

Light winds out of the south will blow smoke northward into wooded areas, according to NJ 101.5 Chief Meteorologist Dan Zarrow.

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Some good news

There are glimmers of good news and a return to normal as largest wildfire in New Jersey since 2007 when 26 square miles (16,640 acres) were torched

No additional evacuations were ordered in Ocean County where 5,000 people evacuated on their own or involuntarily.  JCP&L brought in additional crews Wednesday to inspect wires and equipment and has fully restored power to all 25,000 customers who were left without power.

Scouting America Jersey Shore Council had good news about their Joseph A. Citta Scout Reservation at Brookville in Barnegat. It is made up of nine campgrounds available year-round.

"We were very fortunate that the wildfire that is still burning in our back yards shifted away from camp and we are out of danger. We didn't sustain any damage, aside from heavy smoke conditions. These situations are fluid and can change quickly so we'll let you know if anything changes, but for now, we're okay," the camp wrote on its Facebook page.

The JBJ Soul Kitchen is offering a "free, nourishing 3-course meal" to anyone impacted by the fire and to first responders at its location on Hooper Avenue in Toms River and the pop up at the township's branch of the Ocean County Library. The offer is good during regular business hours.

"Whether you need support or simply a comforting space to gather, our doors are open," the restuarant wrote on its Facebook page.

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