A wildfire that has engulfed more than 15,000 acres in Ocean County, New Jersey, led to the arrest of Joseph Kling, a 19-year-old from Waretown, on charges of aggravated arson and arson. Kling allegedly set a bonfire ablaze with wooden pallets and left before it was properly extinguished, leading to the blaze that began on Tuesday, CBS News New York reports. The expanding fire has destroyed at least one commercial building, while thousands have been evacuated from the surrounding areas.
The joint investigation that led to Kling’s arrest included efforts from the Ocean County prosecutor's office, N.J. Department of Environmental Protection, N.J. Forest Fire Service, and local police departments. After being taken into custody, Kling is currently being held at the Ocean County Jail, according to The Guardian The fire, which may end up being the largest in the state in two decades, is about 50% contained and continues to burn predominantly in wilderness areas.
Air quality in New York City and other parts of the lower Hudson Valley and Long Island has been impacted due to the smoke from the wildfire. The air quality index in these regions is expected to be in the "orange" range, suggesting it is unhealthy for sensitive groups such as the elderly, and, those with preexisting lung and heart conditions, CBS News New York has raised concerns on this issue.
This vast wildfire, approximately 54 miles south of New York City, is not just a local concern but has prompted elevated pollution levels with far-reaching impacts. Shawn LaTourette, the Department of Environmental Protection Commissioner, told the Associated Press, "As we continue to get this under full control the expectation is that the number of acres will grow and will grow in a place that is unpopulated." The acting governor, Tahesha Way, declared a state of emergency yesterday in light of the ongoing crisis, signaling the severity of the situation as outlined by The Guardian.
