New Jersey Wildfire: Further Arrests Likely in Intentional Blaze

Joseph Kling, 19, lit wooden pallets on fire and then left without extinguishing the blaze, causing a massive wildfire, authorities say.

According to the Ocean County Prosecutors Office, they are "extremely confident" that the wildfire that has burned across roughly 15,000 acres of Pinelands in southern Ocean County was started by a 19-year-old Waretown resident who was burning pallets.

According to a joint statement from Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer, Department of Environmental Protection Commissioner Shawn LaTourette, and Township of Ocean Police Chief Michal Rogalski, Joseph Kling was charged with arson and aggravated arson on April 23 in relation to the Jones Road Wildfire.

At a press conference Thursday afternoon, Billhimer advised reporters, "We believe he is the person responsible for starting this fire and we intend to prosecute him to the fullest extent of the law." Authorities haven't ruled out making more arrests, he added. No motive has been disclosed.

After a multi-departmental investigation, it was determined that an inadequately extinguished bonfire was the source of the fire.

Authorities claimed that Kling had been burning wooden pallets in the Forked River Mountains and had departed the scene before the fire was completely put out. According to officials, that spot is close to Kling's home.

Kling was identified as the suspect by authorities using GPS and other cutting-edge technology that Billhimer refused to make public. Billhimer, however, stated that the fire was "deliberately set" as opposed to being an accident and that he was "very confident" that Kling was to blame.

Now, the bonfire is among the largest wildfires to hit New Jersey in the last 20 years.

Additionally, Billhimer confirmed a video that has been making the rounds on social media that purports to show Kling and other people close to a bonfire. It is part of the bigger, continuing investigation, he said, adding that he believes the footage was older and not from the night of the fire.

After being arrested in Waretown, Kling was moved to the Ocean County Jail, where he is currently awaiting a hearing on his detention.