Weather conditions are improving Wednesday as firefighters continue to battle a still-growing wildfire that’s burned more than 12,000 acres in southern New Jersey since it ignited on Tuesday, prompted more than 3,

A wildfire in the Greenwood Forest Wildlife Management Area near Barnegat Township, New Jersey, has burned 8,500 acres and is only 10% contained. The Jones Road Wildfire, which erupted Tuesday, prompted the evacuation of thousands of residents and forced the closure of a major stretch of highway as thick smoke drifted across the Jersey Shore.

The Pine Barrens fire has forced the evacuation of about 3,000 people.Start the day smarter. Get all the news you need in your inbox each morning. When will Garden State Parkway reopen?