Smoky Conditions In Barnegat, Manahawkin Tuesday: Officials

BARNEGAT-MANAHAWKIN, NJ — Residents of both Barnegat and Stafford will be able to smell smoke Tuesday due to the currently blazing Burlington County forest fire, officials said.

Barnegat police sent out a message advising residents of a "large amount of smoke throughout Ocean County" Tuesday morning. This includes all of Barnegat, police said.

As of Monday evening, 12,000 acres were burning in the Wharton State Forest fire, called the Mullica River Fire, New Jersey Forest Fire Service officials said.

"Expect smoke in the area," Barnegat police said.

Stafford police said they have been receiving calls for a strong smell of smoke in different areas of town.

"Please know that we are aware of the odor, which appears to be traveling to our town from the wildfire that firefighters are currently battling in Wharton State Forest," Stafford police said.

Stafford police asked residents to defer to NJ Forest Fire Service social media and local news for updates.

"We would like to thank residents for their diligence in calling to report what they believed was a fire close by," Stafford police said.

Both towns currently have a poor air quality rating due to the fire, according to AccuWeather.