A wildfire in the U.S. state of New Jersey on Tuesday prompted evacuations and the closure of a major highway.

According to The Press of Atlantic City , the Garden State Parkway , one of the busiest highways in the state, was shut down between the towns of Barnegat and Lacey .

Authorities reported that more than 1,300 buildings are at risk, and most of Barnegat is experiencing power outages. Mandatory evacuation orders were issued for an unspecified number of structures in Lacey , with shelters set up in a church and high school .

Fire officials stated that the blaze has burned over 11.9 square kilometers of land. No immediate reports of injuries have been confirmed.