Smoky Air Draws Warning For Toms River Residents To Stay Inside

TOMS RIVER, NJ — Residents in the Toms River area are being urged to stay inside if they have health issues Tuesday as wind carried smoke from the Wharton State Forest fire across much of the southern half of New Jersey.

The Toms River Board of Fire Commissioners for Fire District 2 and the Ocean Beach Volunteer Fire Company posted warnings to residents who are sensitive to air quality, saying smoke from the fire is creating a hazard.

The Wharton State Forest fire has consumed more than 12,000 acres of forest since it started on Sunday. Read more: NJ Forest Fire Burns 12K Acres, Prompts Highway Closures

The cause of the fire has not been determined other than authorities saying it was not from natural causes.

The smoke has led to a "moderate" air quality report for the area, according to the NJ Department of Environmental Protection's air quality monitoring program.

Moderate means the air quality is acceptable but it could pose a health concern for a very few people, including those who are unusually sensitive to ozone or particle pollution may experience respiratory symptoms, according to AirNow.gov.