Joseph Kling (Photo: Ocean County Jail)
A local teen has been charged with starting the fire in the Pine Barrens of Ocean County that has burnt thousands of acres and forced the evacuation of residents in multiple municipalities.
Prosecutor Bradley Billhimer and the state Department of Environmental Protection said they used GPS mapping to trace the origin of the blaze to Joseph Kling, 19, of Ocean Township (Waretown), was charged with aggravated arson and simple arson in connection with the wildfire that started in Waretown on April 22, 2025. It became known as the “Jones Road” fire after the road – some portions paved, some unpaved and running through the Forked River Mountains – that spans a long distance in the southern portion of the county.
According to a statement issued Thursday morning, authorities believe Kling was the individual responsible for setting wooden pallets on fire – and then leaving the area without the fire being fully extinguished. Kling was taken into custody at Ocean Township (Waretown) Police Headquarters; he was thereafter transported to the Ocean County Jail, where he is presently lodged pending a detention hearing.
The Jones Road fire, April 2025. (Credit: NJDEP/ X)
WILDFIRE UPDATE: Jones Road Wildfire – Ocean & Lacey Townships, Ocean County
New Jersey Forest Fire Service continues to make progress containing a wildfire burning in Ocean & Lacey townships, Ocean County.
SIZE & CONTAINMENT
🔥 15,000 acres
🔥 50% contained pic.twitter.com/oS2L9OUPL6— New Jersey Forest Fire Service (@njdepforestfire) April 24, 2025
As of April 24, 2025, the fire has burned approximately 15,000 acres in Waretown and Lacey townships, and has destroyed a commercial building. The fire was first spotted on April 22, 2025, at approximately 9:45 a.m., when the Cedar Bridge Fire Tower located a column of smoke coming from the area of Jones Road and Bryant Road in Ocean Township. Upon arrival, emergency personnel observed a fire within the Ocean County Natural Lands Trust’s Forked River Mountains Wilderness Area, which is on the east side of Jones Road. They then used GPS software and location-finding tools to narrow down their search for its origin.
Fire officials were planning a press conference at 4 p.m. Thursday to provide an update.
Police, Fire & Courts
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