The Jones Road wildfire continued to burn thousands of acres in central New Jersey. Smoky air could be wide-reaching.

A fast-moving wildfire engulfing part of New Jersey’s Pine Barrens is expected to grow, with smoke affecting the air quality in the New York City area before rain arrives this week

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.

The Jones Road Wildfire had spread to 11,500 acres in less than 24 hours as of 10 a.m. on Wednesday and was 30% contained, the New Jersey Fire Service said in a post on X. It was no longer threatening populated areas.