Ocean County Wildfire Caused By Plane Crash 100% Contained

  OCEAN COUNTY – A wildfire that broke out due to a plane crash has been 100% contained, the New Jersey Forest Fire Service confirmed Tuesday morning.

  The fire damaged 831 acres of wildfire near the Robert J. Miller Airpark, including property managed by Ocean County and the Greenwood Forest Wildlife Management Area.

  Officials said 25 structures were threatened by the blaze. However, thanks to local volunteer fire companies, there was no damage to any of the threatened structures.

  At this time, Forest Fire Service staff will remain on scene and continue to monitor areas of concern until significant precipitation occurs to ensure public safety.

  The Lacey Township Police Department confirmed that one person had died in the small, private airplane crash that took place on Saturday.

  Due to smoke and fire in the area, police and first responders were unable to access the scene of the airplane crash until Sunday.

Lacey Township Police confirmed that 61-year-old Oscar Molina of Long Branch was the only occupant of the plane.

  The United States Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), and the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) were immediately notified, and are currently investigating the crash. Any inquiries related to the status of the airplane crash investigation should be made directly to the FAA Eastern Region Public Affairs Office.

  Currently, Dover Road as well as Mule Road are closed to through traffic from Lacey Road to Pinewald-Keswick Road.