Massive Wildfire in New Jersey Forest – 19-Year-Old Arrested for Starting Blaze
Washington, April 24, 2025 (AP) — A massive wildfire has broken out in the sprawling Pine Barrens of New Jersey. On Thursday, authorities reported that a 19-year-old man started a bonfire using wooden planks but left the area without properly extinguishing it. As a result, the fire quickly spread and escalated into a large-scale wildfire.
The young man was arrested in the Waretown area of New Jersey. He has been charged with arson and aggravated arson. Prosecutors stated that he has not yet retained a lawyer in the case.
The wildfire in southern New Jersey is still not fully under control. The blaze has contributed to increased air pollution levels in regions surrounding New York City. According to the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, pollution levels on Thursday may be higher than usual in New York City, Rockland, Westchester, and Long Island. The fire's origin is located approximately 54 miles (87 kilometers) south of New York City.
Additionally, the Ocean County Sheriff's Office in New Jersey has issued warnings that smoke will spread throughout the area and that emergency services personnel will remain deployed for the next several days.
This is the second-largest forest wildfire in New Jersey in the past two decades, following a 2007 fire that burned 26 square miles. As of Thursday, more than 23 square miles have been scorched.
New Jersey’s acting governor, Tahesha Way, declared a state of emergency on Wednesday. Officials reported that about 50% of the fire has been brought under control. Governor Phil Murphy is currently on an official trip to Poland and is scheduled to return to the U.S. on Friday.
No fatalities have been reported so far, but one commercial building and several vehicles have been destroyed. Around 5,000 people were evacuated for safety, though they were allowed to return home on Wednesday.
Video footage shows thick clouds of white and black smoke covering the sky, pine trees ablaze, and firefighters spraying water on a burned structure.
The wildfire-affected area is located west of Philadelphia and east of the Atlantic coast. The sandy soil in this region quickly absorbs water, making it prone to wildfires during dry summer weather. Currently, the humidity is low and the air is dry, creating favorable conditions for the fire to spread.
Though the situation remains extremely serious, officials said the fire is mainly spreading toward uninhabited areas, making the extent of its expansion unpredictable.
