On Tuesday, April 22, 2025, an enormous forest fire broke out in the Pine Barrens, located alongside the Garden State Parkway. The fire, which has burned more than 15,000 acres of land, remains only 75% contained according to the latest reports. Joseph Kling, a 19-year-old resident of Waretown, N.J., has been charged with arson in connection with the fire.
According to CBS News, Joseph Kling had been setting wooden pallets on fire, in an attempt to build a successful bonfire. The bonfire, after being used by Kling and a few friends, had not been properly extinguished and began to spread rapidly across the Pine Barrens. PBS News reported that the fire was first spotted on Tuesday morning at around 9:45 a.m. by the Cedar Bridge Fire Tower. Multiple fire teams responded to the scene, including the Brick Township Fire Department, the Herbertsville Fire Company, the Pioneer Hose Company and the New Jersey Forest Fire Service. Bulldozers and aircrafts have also been used in efforts to contain the fire.
According to a press conference held on April 24, the authorities believe the fire was intentionally set. “We are confident that he intentionally set a fire,” the Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley Billhimer said. Billhimer did not want to get into the specifics on the techniques used for the investigation, but he did mention that the Ocean Township Police were able to place him at the scene. At Kling’s virtual court appearance on Tuesday, April 29, the judge determined Kling would remain in custody without bail. A hearing in regards to whether or not Kling should stay in jail will happen on Friday, May 2. “Mr. Kling, upon being brought into custody, was very clear that he did not ignite this fire,” Joseph Compitello, Kling’s Lawyer, told NBC Philadelphia. Officials are urging local residents to remain cautious of any potential evacuation notices and the investigation remains ongoing.
The Jones Road Wildfire has caused widespread destruction across the Pine Barrens, devastating 15,000 acres of forest and wildlife habitats. New Jersey Secretary of State Tahesha Way declared a state of emergency on April 23, at 7 a.m. According to CBS News, around 5,000 residents were forced to evacuate their homes due to the accelerated growth of the fire. Although the evacuation orders have since been lifted, the damage remains extensive. In addition to the destruction of the forest and wildlife habitats, the fire destroyed a commercial building, several vehicles, threatened four structures and led to the closure of a section of the Garden State Parkway.
Experts have noted that climate change is causing more intense wildfire seasons in the state of New Jersey. More than ever before, the state’s wildfire season has been starting earlier and ending later than in previous times. According to PBS News, the chief of the state Forest Fire service, William J. Donnelly noted that there have been 662 wildfires since the beginning of 2025, with nearly 17,000 acres of land burned. Compared to the prior year, 2024 had 310 wildfires, burning 315 acres. The dramatic rise in wildfires are becoming more frequent, more destructive, and harder for firefighters to contain. With climate change on the rise, drier conditions and longer fire seasons are upon us. Officials warn that these wildfires could become increasingly common, serving as a wakeup call for long-term environmental planning in order to protect New Jersey’s landscapes.
