19-year-old Joseph Kling arrested in connection with New Jersey wildfire
Firefighters respond to emergency as New Jersey wildfire spreads on April 23, 2025 (Photo: Getty Images)
A 19-year-old from Ocean Township has been arrested and charged after authorities linked him to a wildfire that scorched thousands of acres in New Jersey, reports NBC News.
Prosecutors allege that Joseph Kling set wooden pallets on fire and left the scene without confirming the blaze was out, causing a wildfire that erupted Tuesday near Waretown.
According to officials, the fire quickly spread through the Forked River Mountains Wilderness Area after being sparked by an improperly extinguished bonfire.
The Cedar Bridge Fire Tower first spotted the smoke around 10 a.m., with emergency crews rushing to contain the flames.
Firefighters battle 12,000-acre Wharton State Forest wildfire in NJ on April 23, 2025 (Photo: Facebook)
By Thursday, the Jones Road Wildfire had consumed about 15,000 acres in Ocean and Lacey Townships, threatening eight structures and destroying one commercial building. Authorities stated that the fire was 50% contained as of Thursday morning.
Thousands evacuated as largest wildfire in decades sweeps New Jersey
Roughly 5,000 people were evacuated at the height of the blaze, but evacuation orders have since been lifted.
No deaths or residential losses were reported, though the devastation led acting Governor Tahesha Way to declare a state of emergency.
Emergency crews battle Pine Barrens wildfire in NJ on April 23, 2025 (Photo: Facebook)
Shawn M. LaTourette, the state's commissioner of environmental protection, warned the fire could become the largest in New Jersey in 20 years.
"We still have a lot of work to do to achieve complete containment of the wildfire," LaTourette said. "Thanks to the incredible, heroic work of the good men and women of our New Jersey Forest Fire Service, folks' homes and lives have been saved and we've truly averted a major disaster."
Joseph Kling is being held in the Ocean County jail as fire crews continue working to fully contain the wildfire and prevent further damage.
