Officials: Ocean County wildfire 50% contained; man charged with arson
Joseph Kling was charged with arson and aggravated arson.
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The Jones Road wildfire in Ocean County has burned more than 15,200 acres of land and is 50% contained, according to the New Jersey Forest Fire Service.
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A 19-year-old Waretown man is facing charges related to the fire. Joseph Kling was charged with arson and aggravated arson. The Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office says Kling set a bonfire using wooden pallets and left them without fully extinguishing the fire.
Regarding Kling’s charges, officials say that aggravated arson requires that a person knowingly set a fire to cause damage and that arson is a “reckless act.”
Judge James Gluck told Kling during a brief court appearance Thursday the state sought to have him detained pending trial and he wouldn't be released.
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No injuries have been reported in the fire, which began Tuesday morning. Officials say four structures out in the wooded area are under threat. Crews will remain in the area to protect them.
A commercial building and some vehicles were destroyed. About 5,000 people had been evacuated but were permitted to return home on Wednesday, officials said.
Officials say the smoke is expected to drift toward New York City and has been seen in Cape May. They say that much of the smoke is from the interior of the fire burning. They say the smoke is expected to continue until the weekend, when some rain is expected in the forecast.
The Associated Press wire services contributed to this report.
