• A 19-year-old man has been arrested for allegedly starting a massive wildfire in New Jersey.
• Joseph Kling faces charges of aggravated arson and arson for causing the blaze, which has burned over 15,000 acres.
• The wildfire has led to evacuations and air quality warnings extending to New York City.

Joseph Kling, a 19-year-old from Waretown, New Jersey, faces multiple arson charges in connection with a significant wildfire that has ravaged more than 15,000 acres across Ocean County. According to the Ocean County prosecutor and the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (DEP), the fire was ignited by an improperly extinguished bonfire composed of wooden pallets that Kling allegedly left burning before departing the site CBS News, New York Times.

The wildfire, known as the Jones Road Fire, began on April 22 in the Greenwood Forest Wildlife Management Area and quickly spread, with officials initially reporting its size to be around 20 acres before it swelled to the current figure of 15,200 acres. As of now, the fire remains only 50% contained, with fire service teams working tirelessly to manage the situation Reuters, Newsweek.

Officials noted that the abnormally dry conditions in the region, particularly in the Pine Barrens, created a high risk for wildfires. The New Jersey Forest Fire Service highlighted that nearly 85% of wildfires are caused by human activity, including unattended fires and debris burning HuffPost.

As the wildfire spread, approximately 5,000 residents were evacuated from the area. Fortunately, no injuries or fatalities were reported, but it did lead to the destruction of a commercial building and several vehicles. Air quality warnings were issued as smoke from the fire affected areas as far as New York City BBC, New York Times.

In light of these developments, Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley Billhimer stated that technology, including the use of GPS, played a significant role in pinpointing the fire's origin and linking Kling to the incident. Officials caution that reckless behavior regarding fire safety in dry conditions can lead to severe consequences and legal charges HuffPost.