In New Jersey’s Pine Barrens, a bonfire started by a 19-year-old man escalated into a rapidly spreading wildfire, enveloping the surroundings in smoke and degrading the air quality as far away as New York City, authorities confirmed on Thursday.
Joseph Kling, a resident of Waretown, New Jersey, was detained on charges of arson and aggravated arson as the fire continues to rage in the southern part of the state. Officials noted that the blaze originated from an inadequately extinguished bonfire.
During a brief court session on Thursday, Judge James Gluck ruled that Kling will remain in custody awaiting trial, with no option for release. Kling briefly addressed the court to confirm his next hearing scheduled for the following Tuesday and wished the judge a good day as the proceedings concluded.
The public defender appointed to Kling during the hearing opted not to provide further statements when questioned by the judge. Additionally, their office refrained from commenting on the case, citing the early stage of proceedings.
Authorities first identified the fire on Tuesday morning, spotting a smoke column rising from the pines. By employing GPS technology, they tracked the fire back to a location where a bonfire had not been properly put out.
Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer spoke at a news conference, expressing certainty that the fire was deliberately set. However, details regarding Kling’s alleged involvement and other specifics of the investigation remain undisclosed as inquiries are still underway.
As forest fire season peaks in the Pine Barrens, a sprawling wilderness covering over 1 million acres, firefighters are battling challenging conditions with low humidity levels coupled with the lingering effects of a prolonged drought.
While much of the Pine Barrens is largely unoccupied, the high population density of New Jersey poses a risk to nearby developments from the fire, which has grown to over 23.8 square miles, nearing the state’s largest wildfire in two decades.
Fortunately, no injuries or fatalities have been reported, but the blaze destroyed a commercial building and several vehicles. Around 5,000 evacuees were eventually able to return home on Wednesday. Environmental Protection Commissioner Shawn LaTourette warned that the fire, still active, is expected to spread further, albeit in unpopulated areas.
Business owners Jim and Lenore Thoms, located near the wildfire’s vicinity, commended firefighters for their exceptional efforts in safeguarding the area. Jim Thoms remarked that without their intervention, substantial damage could have been far more extensive.
The fire’s impact reaches beyond New Jersey, with elevated pollution levels anticipated in New York City and several nearby counties, as warned by the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation. Advice was given to reduce exposure by staying indoors to avoid symptoms like respiratory issues and irritation.
With dry conditions statewide, New York experiences heightened fire danger in multiple regions, including New York City, prompting further caution as fire safety alerts remain at moderate to high levels.
This ongoing disaster is documented as the second most severe fire in recent years within the region, second only to a 2007 blaze that decimated 26 square miles.
Acting New Jersey Governor Tahesha Way declared a state of emergency on Wednesday, and efforts have managed to contain roughly 50% of the active wildfire by Thursday. Meanwhile, Governor Phil Murphy is concluding an official visit in Poland and is expected back by Friday.
State-released video footage showcases tumultuous clouds of white and black smoke, raging flames consuming pine forests, and firefighters battling the fiery ordeal.
The Pine Barrens, with its sandy soils and still-developing foliage, lies between the urban centers of Philadelphia and the Atlantic Shore. Low humidity and gusty winds further create a tinderbox environment, ripe for fire outbreaks.