OCEAN COUNTY – A 19-year-old man from Ocean Township (Waretown) has been charged in connection with the massive Jones Road Wildfire that erupted on April 22 and continues to burn through Southern Ocean County.
The Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office confirmed that Joseph Kling was arrested on April 23 and charged with Aggravated Arson and Arson. Authorities say Kling set fire to a stack of wooden pallets and then left the area without ensuring the flames were fully extinguished.
As of 10:30 a.m. on Thursday, April 24, the New Jersey Forest Fire Service reported the fire has scorched approximately 15,000 acres in Waretown and Lacey Townships. It remains 50% contained. Officials say the blaze has already destroyed one commercial building and continues to threaten nearby areas.
According to Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer, the fire began near Jones Road and Bryant Road, deep within the Forked River Mountains Wilderness Area—public land protected under the Ocean County Natural Lands Trust. The fire was first spotted at approximately 9:45 am by a fire tower lookout in Cedar Bridge.
Photo courtesy New Jersey DEP
Fire investigators used GPS data to track the fire’s point of origin and determined that it was caused by an improperly extinguished bonfire. Multiple agencies took part in the investigation, including the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Arson Squad, New Jersey Forest Fire Service, and various local and state fire marshal offices.
Officials have noted that the increase in acreage has grown as firefighters contain the fire and have increased burnout operations. This strategy has been applied to places that are unpopulated and in more open wilderness.
More than 5,000 residents were evacuated as the wildfire spread rapidly through Southern Ocean County, threatening an estimated 13,000 homes. While no residences were lost, one commercial building— Liberty Garage Door and Awning, located in the Lacey Industrial Park—was destroyed. A neighboring business, Top Coat Paving, sustained minor damage.
“Liberty lost their entire building and a recent delivery of materials worth six figures,” said Lacey Township Administrator Veronica Laureigh. “They put it inside thinking it would be safer, but the fire got it anyway.”
Kling was taken into custody at the Ocean Township Police Department and is being held at the Ocean County Jail pending a detention hearing.
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