Who is Joseph Kling, the teen arrested for starting New Jersey wildfire?
Joseph Kling ignited a bonfire and then left the area without properly extinguishing it, which sparked the Ocean County, New Jersey wildfire.
Joseph Kling, a 19-year-old from Ocean Township, has been arrested for allegedly starting the Jones Road Wildfire in New Jersey, which has scorched 15,000 acres in Ocean County, according to NBC 10.
What Did Joseph Kling Do?
Authorities allege that Kling ignited a bonfire using wooden pallets and then left the area without properly extinguishing it. The fire is believed to have spread, ultimately sparking the massive wildfire.
Charges Against Joseph Kling
Kling was taken into custody at the Ocean Township Police Department on Thursday. He faces charges of aggravated arson and arson. Following his arrest, he was transported to the Ocean County Jail, where he remains in custody pending a detention hearing.
Latest on New Jersey Wildfire -
At 10:30 a.m. on Thursday morning, the New Jersey Forest Fire Service said the fire has grown to 15,000 acres and is 50% contained.
The following road closures remain in effect as of Thursday morning -
- Rt. 532 (Wells Mills Road) between Rt. 72 and the Garden State Parkway
- Bryant Road between Wells Mills Road (Rt. 532) and Rt. 539
- Jones Road between Rt. 532 and Bryant Road
The wildfire has prompted air quality warnings for New York City and Long Island. The alerts will remain active until midnight Thursday.
State of Emergency -
On Wedneaday evening, acting Governor Tahesha Way declared a state of emergency in Ocean County in response to the blaze.
“I am declaring a State of Emergency in Ocean County due to the Jones Road Wildfire in the Greenwood Forest Wildfire Management Area near Lacey, Ocean, and Barnegat Townships. At this time, we have no loss of life and no homes have been harmed,” she wrote in a X post on Wednesday. “If you live in the affected area, please listen to guidance from emergency management officials.”
