The morning of April 22, 2025, is one of the most memorable days of New Jersey, marking one of the largest fires NJ has received. This fire has burned over 15,000 acres, evacuating many civilians. Fortunately, only threatening homes, officials have been able to contain the fire to not burn any home or apartments to touch.
Starting in Ocean county, in the natural land area, the fire was seen in the morning over at the Cedar Fire Tower. After spotting this, action was taken into hands and citizens were told to immediately evacuate the area to safety. At the end of the first day, up to 8,000 acres was consumed, containing only 10% of the land. By around a week later on April 27th, records were taken down, showing that up to 15,300 acres were burned at that point, with only 50% contained. As of that time, more than 25,000 businesses and homes have lost power due to the fires. The fire did burn a few structures and two commercial buildings.
19-year-old Joseph Kling and an unnamed 17-year-old male are both being charged with aggravated arson and arson. It was also said that they blamed the fires on Mexicans they saw in the woods, but it’s been concluded that they intentionally burned the wood pallets which spread throughout the woods. Police have used Google Maps to determine the distance between the pallets and the woods to see if it was really them. Police have seen that the pallets were only some 80 feet apart from the trees.
People affiliated with the fire have come out clean with one girl claiming that her, the boys, and others did cause the fire. It was told they bought a couple of pallets from Sonny’s Recycling and drove a couple miles off of Route 9 to burn around 10 of them. Joseph and his friend, JM, had gone to burn the wood, but, during this, Joseph found out JM crashed his dirt bike, making them burn two more palettes and leaving each other’s path while knowing it was still burning.
Kling will undergo trial in the near future and the release of him will be unknown since he has been to court multiple times. Officials believe he should stay in jail, but the Judge will consider giving him a chance if he explains thoroughly.
