New Jerseyeans take great pride in their state, so when tragedies such as the most recent wildfire in Ocean County occur, they don’t face it alone. Instead, communities come together with unwavering support.
At Corradino & Papa, community is at the heart of everything we do. That’s why we’re honored to be donating $1,250 each to Forked River Fire Company, Barnegat Township Fire Company, Lanoka Harbor Fire Company, and Waretown Fire Company in support of these brave firefighters who are working tirelessly to protect lives, homes, and our beautiful Ocean County community.
About the Jones Road Wildfire
The Jones Road wildfire was first spotted from the Cedar Bridge Fire Tower and reported to authorities on the morning of Tuesday, April 22, 2025. Since then, the fire has destroyed 15,300 acres in the Ocean County Natural Lands Trust’s Forked River Mountains Wilderness Area, which has been a mainstay in Ocean County for the past 25 years.
An evacuation order was issued to residents of Ocean and Lacey Township a few hours after the fire broke out. However, they were given the all-clear to return home the following day. In the days since, several vehicles, outbuildings and a commercial building have been destroyed. Thankfully, no injuries have been reported in relation to the Jones Road wildfire.
Though a damage assessment is still underway, local authorities have arrested and charged the individual believed to be in connection with the fire—a 19 year old from Waretown. Authorities believe that the teen set pallets of wood on fire for a bonfire and walked away without ensuring the fire was fully extinguished.
As of Monday, April 28, 2025, the New Jersey Forest Service stated that the fire was 75% contained.
Corradino & Papa: Who We Are and Our Commitment to Community
Corradino & Papa is a personal injury law firm. Since 1997, we’ve been dedicated to representing and fighting for victims who have been severely injured as a result of a slip and fall, car accident, construction accident and other forms of personal injury throughout North Jersey.
That being said, we’re Clifton residents first.
Having grown up within the Clifton community, we don’t just see victims of negligence. Rather, we see our neighbors— the people we run into at the grocery store, at outdoor concerts, and at our local post office. We see people simply going about their lives when, out of nowhere, tragedy strikes and changes everything.
This is why the Jones Road wildfire hits so close to home for our firm—these are people just trying to go about their day, who have suddenly faced temporary evacuations, loss of vehicles, and property destruction.
Our firm takes immense pride in giving back to the community, especially when they have been affected by tragedy. Over the years, we have donated school buses, school mascot statues, vests to the Passaic County Sheriff’s K-9 Unit, held fundraisers, and given scholarships to deserving students about to enter their first year at a local New Jersey university.
We’re honored to add the donation to the Forked River Fire Company, Barnegat Township Fire Company, Lanoka Harbor Fire Company, and Waretown Fire Company to this list for their bravery and unwavering commitment to those they serve.
Our Message of Gratitude to the Firefighters
Because of their size and unpredictability, wildfires are notoriously difficult to put out. For the Jones Road wildfire specifically, strong winds and falling trees have complicated the effort to extinguish the blaze. However, as of publication, 75% of the wildfire has been contained, which is a testament to the firefighters of Forked River Fire Company, Barnegat Township Fire Company, Lanoka Harbor Fire Company, and Waretown Fire Company.
To the firefighters on the ground and the support staff back at the station, your bravery, skill, and dedication in protecting the Ocean County community is unparalleled. To be able to support you is our greatest honor. Thank you for all that you do—and continue to do—to put out the Jones Road wildfire.
A Safety Reminder From the New Jersey Forest Service
The New Jersey Forest Service wants to remind everyone to avoid the affected area, as it still poses a significant safety hazard. Drones should not be flown in this area, nor should Ocean County residents start a bonfire.
Between the low humidity and dry weather conditions, New Jersey currently has an elevated risk of wildfires. If you see smoke or have concerns about a potential fire in your neighborhood, call the fire department immediately and be on the lookout for any evacuation notices in the news and on social media.