On Tuesday, April 22nd, a wildfire ignited within Ocean County, New Jersey. More specifically, within Ocean Township, Barnegat, and Lacey. In the initial stages of the blaze, parts of U.S. Highway 9 and the Garden State Parkway were closed. Many people in these areas of New Jersey were evacuated for their safety. Due to the amazing efforts from firefighters across New Jersey, as of April 25th, the Jones Road Wildfire is around 60% contained, with 15,300 acres of land burned. The air quality in the surrounding areas has been severely affected, and those with respiratory conditions are especially at risk. 

How did this fire start? 19-year-old Joseph Kling has been charged with second-degree aggravated assault after starting the wildfire by the Ocean County prosecutor. Kling has been accused of starting a bonfire and not properly extinguishing the flames, which led to the fire spreading to the nearby forests.