Wildfire Teen Arrested

A teenager was arrested for arson yesterday, accused of starting this week's Jones Road Wildfire in New Jersey. The fire is on track to be the state’s largest in almost 20 years, burning at least 15,000 acres in three days. It is 50% contained as of this writing.

The wildfire broke out Tuesday morning in southern New Jersey, near 19-year-old Joseph Kling’s home. Prosecutors say he lit a bonfire in the Pine Barrens and abandoned the site after only partially extinguishing it. The fire has since caused power outages and evacuations, even temporarily shutting down the Garden State Parkway. New York City is under an air quality alert. See images here.

April is the middle of New Jersey’s wildfire season, with long-term drought, warm weather, and high winds contributing to the spread. Firefighters have contained much of the Jones Road fire through controlled burns—removing dry vegetation that might otherwise fuel it. Learn more here (w/video).