New Jersey is in stage 2 fire restrictions as of 11 a.m. Wednesday, according to New Jersey Forest Fire Service. Ground wood fires and campfires are prohibited. 

Lakehurst volunteer firefighters and the New Jersey Forest Fire Service continue to put out hot spots on Wednesday after a massive fire ripped through Manchester on Tuesday. The firefighters prescribed a control burn to push the wildfire back. They drove around the area to survey the embers and flames, News 12 New Jersey was told.

The ground was charred and black as ash fell from the fire. As crews lined the street, helicopters were flying over the area and ATVs were in the forest. Volunteer firefighters from several surrounding towns came out to the area to protect the neighborhood on Tuesday night, News 12 was told.

Lakehurst residents were concerned as they watched a wall of flames right across the street from their houses.

“The breathing it in from last night has been kind of bothering me a little bit,” a resident said.

“I hope they contain it soon. We live a block over, two houses in. They knocked on the door last night and sent us out of here,” another resident in the neighborhood said.

New Jersey Forest Fire advised it was safe for Lakehurst residents to return home Wednesday morning, according to police.