A rapidly spreading wildfire in New Jersey has surged to 8,500 acres by Tuesday afternoon, triggering the evacuation of over 3,000 individuals and posing a threat to more than 1,300 structures. The blaze has also led to the closure of a section of the Garden State Parkway in the southern part of the state.

The fire, which ignited in the Greenwood Forest Wildlife Management Area of Ocean County on Tuesday morning, is currently 10% contained, according to the New Jersey Forest Fire Service. The cause of the fire is currently under investigation. While no injuries have been reported, Ocean County Undersheriff Jon Lombardi told CNN that several businesses in an industrial park in Lacey Township have been consumed by the flames. Fortunately, it appears that no homes have sustained major damage.

The wildfire is already significantly impacting the state, with over 26,000 customers in Ocean County experiencing power outages, as reported by PowerOutage.US. Additionally, a portion of the Garden State Parkway, a critical transportation artery, remains closed, according to the New Jersey State Police. The air quality has deteriorated due to thick, black clouds filling the sky, prompting a public health advisory in the county. Aerial footage from CNN affiliate WPVI shows buildings already burnt as firefighters work to protect structures.

Giana Nicholas told CNN affiliate News 12 New Jersey that the smoke initially wasn't too severe, but it quickly intensified, forcing her family to evacuate. "Eventually as the night went on, smoke flooded the streets," she stated. The fire coincides with an official drought warning in New Jersey, with the state reporting "well-below average precipitation throughout the winter" in a news release last month.

Approximately 7,000 acres of New Jersey's forests are typically burned each year, with Tuesday's fire already exceeding this annual average. While wildfires may not be as frequent as in other regions of the country, the area is not unfamiliar with such events. The Jennings Creek Fire, for example, burned several thousand acres in New Jersey and New York in November, necessitating a significant response from both states.

Winds on Tuesday afternoon consistently gusted between 15 and 25 mph but are expected to decrease later tonight. While dry weather is anticipated for the remainder of the week, wind speeds are projected to be much lower, ranging from only 5 to 10 mph. This story has been updated with additional information.