New Jersey Wildfire Burns 12,500 Acres, Threatens Decommissioned Nuclear Plant

A massive wildfire in Ocean County, New Jersey, has burned over 12,500 acres and threatened the decommissioned Oyster Creek Nuclear Generating Station, prompting evacuations and road closures. Authorities lifted evacuation orders as containment improved to 40%, but 18 structures remain at risk and hotspots are still being addressed. Embers briefly ignited a small fire on the Oyster Creek plant grounds, but it was quickly extinguished, and officials stress that the spent nuclear fuel is stored in fire-resistant casks, posing no immediate risk to the public. The wildfire's rapid spread forced thousands of residents to evacuate and led to power outages as a precaution near the affected area. State officials declared a state of emergency to allocate resources, and emergency shelters were set up in local schools. The cause of the fire is under investigation, and authorities continue to monitor both the fire perimeter and the nuclear facility closely.