UPDATE: Barnegat Boulevard Fire 75 Percent Contained, Police Say

New Jersey Forest Fire Services reported that the fire, which started before noon today in the wooded area north of Barnegat Boulevard and West of Route 9, has been 75 percent contained and has burned approximately 20 acres.

Authorities closed Barnegat Boulevard off to traffic on both sides, but no evacuations from nearby homes were necessary, according to the Barnegat Police.

Police did evacuate approximately 20 people from the Barnegat Branch Rail Trail and closed the trail to all foot and bicycle traffic between Rosehill Road and the Green Briar entrance to the trail in Waretown. That area of the rail trail remains closed.

Police officers arrived on scene of the fire within minutes of a phone call, which they received at 11:21 a.m., Barnegat police said.

Fifteen fire trucks from seven area fire companies as well as both ground and air resources from the New Jersey Forest Fire Service (NJFFS) responded to the scene.

Fire trucks are currently stationed at the Atlantic Heights development as well as the Patriot's Cove development. The apparatus is stationed there as a precautionary measure.

"There is no threat to any residents or structures at this time," Barnegat Police said in a press release. "NJFFS personnel will continue operations in the area for the next several hours including controlled burning of the remaining fuel in the area."

Both Barnegat Blvd and the rail trail will remain closed for the next several hours.