A massive wildfire erupted on April 22, 2025, in Ocean County, New Jersey, consuming over 15,000 acres and prompting the evacuation of approximately 5,000 residents. The blaze, known as the Jones Road Fire, is the state's largest in nearly two decades. Authorities have charged 19-year-old Joseph Kling of Waretown with arson and aggravated arson, alleging he failed to properly extinguish a bonfire made of wooden pallets, which ignited the wildfire.

The fire began in the Greenwood Forest Wildlife Management Area and rapidly spread due to dry, windy conditions. By April 23, it had scorched over 13,000 acres and was 50% contained. The New Jersey Forest Fire Service indicated that full containment would require significant rainfall. The fire destroyed one commercial building and several vehicles but resulted in no reported injuries.

Evacuation orders were issued for residents in Waretown and Barnegat, with emergency shelters established at local high schools. Major highways, including Route 9 and parts of the Garden State Parkway, were temporarily closed due to the fire. By April 23, evacuation orders were lifted as containment efforts progressed.

The fire's rapid spread was facilitated by prolonged dry conditions and low humidity. In early 2025, New Jersey recorded 215 wildfires that burned 514 acres, a significant increase compared to 69 wildfires and 22 acres during the same period in 2024. The New Jersey Forest Fire Service has been actively working to contain the blaze, emphasizing the need for significant rainfall to fully extinguish it.

The Jones Road Fire is the second-largest wildfire in New Jersey in the past two decades, surpassed only by the 2007 fire in Warren Grove. This highlights the ongoing vulnerability of the region to significant wildfires and the need for continued emphasis on fire prevention and safety measures.

In response to the increased wildfire activity, Governor Murphy and Department of Environmental Protection Commissioner Shawn LaTourette announced the NJ Wildfire SMART initiative in February 2025. This program emphasizes wildfire safety, mitigation, awareness, response, and training to reduce wildfire spread across New Jersey.

The wildfire caused poor air quality in parts of New Jersey and neighboring areas, including New York City and Long Island. Residents were advised to keep windows closed and limit outdoor activities due to the smoke.

Joseph Kling is currently held in Ocean County Jail pending a detention hearing. Authorities allege that Kling lit a bonfire with wooden pallets and failed to fully extinguish it, leading to the wildfire.

The Jones Road Fire underscores the critical importance of fire safety and prevention measures, especially amid dry and windy conditions. The incident serves as a stark reminder of the potential consequences of negligence and the need for vigilance in fire-prone areas.