Firefighters are making progress with the wildfire in the Pine Barrens section of southern Ocean County. Some 50% of the fire has been contained, the New Jersey Forest Fire Service said Wednesday afternoon. But the destruction has only grown. What the forest fire service is calling the Jones Road Wildfire has consumed some 13,500 acres.

A wildfire in New Jersey exploded to 13,250 acres after igniting Tuesday in Ocean County and threatening more than 1,000 structures, shutting down a major highway and causing thousands of people to flee the flames.