About 3,000 residents of the US state of New Jersey were forced to evacuate due to a rapidly growing wildfire that has already consumed over 3,000 hectares and threatens more than 1,300 buildings, Agence France-Presse and Associated Press reported, citing local authorities, BTA reports.
According to the latest data, as of 10:30 p.m. local time (05:30 Bulgarian time), the flames raging in the northeastern part of Ocean County are only 10% contained, the New Jersey Forest Fire Service reported on the "X" platform.
One of the busiest highways in the state - the Garden State Parkway - is closed between the cities of Barnegat and Lacey.
"About 1,320 structures are threatened, and approximately 3,000 people have already been evacuated," the service also said in a statement, adding that the burned area has reached 3,440 hectares - significantly more than earlier data of less than 1,300 hectares.
The police department of Barnegat said two schools have set up temporary shelters for evacuees.
Electricity company Jersey Central Power and Light cut off power to about 25,000 customers at the request of the fire department and the coordination center. The company assured that power supply will be restored later today.
According to local media, the fire broke out in the Pinelands - a vast pine forest and one of the largest protected areas on the East Coast of the United States. Ocean County, known for its tourist attractions, is located about 110 kilometers from New York.