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Teen arrested for starting massive New Jersey wildfire

Joseph Kling, 19, is accused of starting the Jones Road Fire, which has grown to more than 15,000 acres.

New Jersey fire spreads across the county.

New Jersey fire spreads across the county.Screenshot/ X.

Diane Hernández
Published by
Diane Hernández

New Jersey police arrested a 19-year-old man for starting a large wildfire that caused evacuations and power outages in the state.

Joseph Kling is accused of starting the Jones Road Fire, which has grown to more than 15,000 acres and blanketed parts of the region with smoke. It caused the evacuation of thousands of people in the area.

He was arrested Wednesday and is currently in custody. Thursday's hearing hearing specified that the state was seeking his pretrial detention and that Kling would not be released, local media said.

According to the Ocean County district attorney’s office, a thorough and extensive investigation traced the origin of the fire through GPS. The cause of the fire was determined to be "incendiary by an improperly extinguished bonfire."

Further investigation has revealed that Kling was the individual responsible for setting fire to pallets of wood and then leaving the area without the fire being fully extinguished, according to the New Jersey Forest Fire Service release.

The smoke also affected air quality in the New York City area, officials said Thursday.

Air quality alert for New York City and Long Island

An air quality alert has been issued for New York City and Long Island due to the possible impact of smoke from a wildfire in New Jersey, prompting state officials to urge residents to limit outdoor activities.

The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) announced that the advisory will be in effect through this Friday, and the Air Quality Index (AQI) is forecast to reach levels that are "unhealthy for sensitive groups."

Exposure to elevated levels of pollutants can pose serious health risks, particularly for sensitive groups such as children, older adults and people with asthma, chronic lung disease or heart problems, they explained.

Fire continues to advance in Ocean County

An update Friday morning from the county Forest Fire Service said the fire had burned about 15,250 acres and was 50% contained.

Firefighters said they continue to make progress in containing a wildfire that is keeping Ocean and Lacey townships in Ocean County on alert.

The blaze has led to the closure of some major roads and the evacuation of at least 5,000 people, according to local media.

Worst fire in 20 years

At a conference days ago, state authorities said that the fire, at that time 30% contained, could become the worst fire in 20 years.

No injuries were reported at the moment. "Thanks to the incredible, heroic work of the good men and women of our New Jersey fire service folks, homes and lives have been saved and we truly averted a major disaster," said Shawn LaTourette, New Jersey's environmental protection commissioner.

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