MANCHESTER: On Tuesday 4/11 at approx 6:11pm Station 33 was dispatched to the area of 539/Horicon for a heavy smoke condition. Upon arrival of first arriving units a large brushfire was confirmed. Chief 3300, Asst Chief 3310, Brush unit 3339, Brush unit 3319, Engine 3301, Engine 3311, Tanker 3318, Utility 3317, and Utility 3327 responded with NJFFS. Suppression operations were initiated and an extensive structural protection detail commenced. Numerous homes were saved in the area, fire continued to spread in the direction toward Lakehurst resulting in an all hands effort to protect nearby structures. All Manchester fire companies responded along with countless agencies in the surrounding areas for this long lasting incident. As of last report, 2,500 acres were involved. Operations continue at this time.

PRESS CONFERENCE: Today at 10 a.m. at the Whiting Volunteer Fire Company, 120 Lacey Road, in Whiting, Ocean County, the New Jersey Forest Fire Service will provide status updates and about the major wildfire in Manchester Township.

Forest Fire Service Administrator/Chief Greg McLaughlin and other Forest Fire Service representatives will explain the current status of the fire and evacuations. Representatives with the Manchester Township Office of Emergency Management and Ocean County Sheriff’s Department will also be on hand.

A question-and-answer session for reporters will follow.