New Jersey Wildfire: Arson Suspect Arrested as Blaze Grows to 15,000 Acres
A 19-year-old is charged with starting a New Jersey wildfire that has burned 15,000 acres and destroyed a commercial building, prompting air quality alerts in NYC.
It’s peak forest fire season in the vast pine wilderness that covers more than 1 million acres (405,000 hectares) — an area roughly as large as the Grand Canyon — and firefighters are contending with low humidity and the aftermath of a monthslong drought in the region.
Man charged with arson after authorities say he sparked New Jersey Pine Barrens fire
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Though large tracts of the Pine Barrens are uninhabited, New Jersey is the nation’s most densely populated state and officials have warned the fire could threaten developments nearby.
New Jersey authorities charge man with arson, allege sparking of Pine Barrens fire
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The wildfire is about 50% contained after spreading across roughly 15,000 acres.
19-year-old faces arson charges in N.J. wildfire, prosecutors say he set bonfire
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The alert covered Manhattan along with the Bronx, Kings, Queens, Richmond, Nassau, Suffolk, Westchester and Rockland.
Man arrested for arson after bonfire ignites Jones Road wildfire, authorities say
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The fire is believed to be the second-worst in the last 20 years.
Teen charged with arson over huge New Jersey wildfire
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The inferno has burned about 15,000 acres in Ocean and Lacey Townships, New Jersey Forest Fire Service said Thursday morning in an update on Facebook.
19-year-old charged in connection with massive New Jersey wildfire
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The massive wildfire that engulfed more than 15,000 acres and forced thousands to evacuate in New Jersey was ignited by a forgetful teen who didn’t bother to put out a bonfire he made from a pile of wooden pallets.
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With the fire ongoing and winds shifting north, some of the wildfire smoke will make it to New York City and Long Island as air quality alerts are in effect until midnight Thursday night from the elevated pollution levels the smoke will bring.
New York City region air quality alert as New Jersey wildfire burns 13,000 acres
ABC News·8d·ReliableThis source consistently reports facts with minimal bias, demonstrating high-quality journalism and accuracy.CenterThis outlet is balanced or reflects centrist views.Forest fires are a common occurrence in the Pine Barrens, a 1.1 million-acre (445,000-hectare) state and federally protected reserve about the size of the Grand Canyon lying halfway between Philadelphia to the west and the Atlantic coast to the east.
Smoke from growing New Jersey wildfire to affect air quality in the New York City area
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Summary
A 19-year-old from Waretown, Joseph Kling, was arrested for allegedly starting the Jones Road Wildfire, which has burned approximately 15,000 acres in New Jersey. The fire was ignited by improperly extinguished wooden pallets, leading to significant evacuations and damage to a commercial building. As of Thursday, officials reported the fire is 50% contained, but it continues to impact air quality in New York City and nearby areas. Acting Governor Tahesha Way declared a state of emergency, and while evacuations have been lifted, the fire is expected to burn for several more days.
Perspectives
The New Jersey wildfire has grown to over 23 square miles and is currently 50% contained, with no injuries reported among residents or firefighters.
Air quality alerts have been issued for New York City and surrounding areas due to smoke from the wildfire, with elevated pollution levels expected until midnight.
A state of emergency has been declared in New Jersey, and officials are actively monitoring the situation as the cause of the fire is now identified as an improperly extinguished bonfire.
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