New Jersey wildfire: Man, 19, charged with arson in wildfire that has burned thousands of acres
19-year-old charged with arson in Ocean County wildfire
A 19-year-old man has been charged with arson in connection with a massive wildfire that torched thousands of acres of woodland in Ocean County.
OCEAN TOWNSHIP, N.J. - A 19-year-old man has been charged with arson in connection with a massive wildfire that torched thousands of acres of woodland in Ocean County.
Prosecutors on Thursday reported Joseph Kling, an Ocean Township resident, has been charged with aggravated arson and arson.
Man, 19, charged with arson in wildfire that has burned thousands of acres
A 19-year-old man has been charged with arson in connection with a massive wildfire that torched thousands of acres of woodland in Ocean County.
Investigators determined that the fire was caused by an improperly extinguished bonfire, the New Jersey Forest Fire Service said in a statement.
What we know:
Prosecutors in Ocean County have charged 19-year-old Joseph Kling with arson in connection to a massive wildfire that has to date torched 15,000 acres.
Investigators say Kling, an Ocean Township resident, set fire to wooden pallets and did not properly extinguish the blaze before he left the area.
Kling was taken into custody on Wednesday and was brought to Ocean County jail, pending a detention hearing.
The backstory:
The Jones Road Fire sparked on Tuesday morning and has since spread to over 15,250 acres with just 50 percent containment as of Thursday.
The fire forced thousands in nearby communities to evacuate their homes, and destroyed at least one commercial building.
"This could be the largest wildfire in New Jersey in 20 years," fire officials said during a press conference on Wednesday.
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New Jersey wildfire continues to burn in Ocean County with 50 percent contained
One of the largest wildfires ever in Ocean County is continuing to burn over 13,250 acres as fire crews have contained 50 percent of the raging blaze.
While the evacuation order has since been lifted, Acting New Jersey Gov. Tahesha Way declared a State of Emergency on Wednesday.
Firefighters continued to beat back the flames on Thursday morning and remained confident that the blaze was no longer a threat to a dozen nearby structures.
What they're saying:
"We can just confidently say that we think the fire was set intentionally," said Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley Billhimer.
Prosecutors announced arson charges against Joseph Kling,19, from Waretown, New Jersey. Investigators say Kling set wooden pallets ablaze in the New Jersey Pine Barrens that have been burning since Tuesday morning.
"New Jersey has some of the most volatile wildland fuels in the country. So once a fire like that gets established, there is no catching it, if you will. You try to head it off at the pass," said NJ Forest Fire Service Chief Bill Donnelly.
No one answered when FOX 29 went to Kling's home in Ocean Township. Arson investigators pinpointed the origin of the fire with help of GPS technology that helped lead them to Kling.
With bone-dry conditions, the fire has now spread to 15,250 acres and is 50 percent contained and several structures are still threatened. Real relief may not come until rain forecasted this weekend.
"We have not had one loss of life. We have not had one loss of any single-family structure in Lacey Township and we have not had any report of an injury," said Lacey Township Mayor Peter Curatolo.
Although prosecutors have not released a motive, they say the arrest sends a clear message.
"Starting a fire out in the woods when the conditions are dry and in a forest could lead to widespread damage, loss of life, loss of property and potentially criminal charges," added Bilhimer.
What's next:
Kling will remain in the Ocean County jail until his detention hearing on April 29th.