NJ wildfire update: Teen charged with arson in Ocean County blaze.

The Brief
A teen was charged with arson in connection to the wildfire that has torched thousands of acres in Ocean County.
The fire began as a 10-acre blaze on Tuesday night and has since spread to 15,000 acres as of Thursday morning. It remains just 50% contained.
Firefighters on Wednesday said the fire had the chance to become the “largest in New Jersey in 20 years.”
NEW JERSEY – A 19-year-old man has been charged with arson in connection with the massive wildfire that has torched thousands of acres of woodland in Ocean County, New Jersey.

“Further investigation has revealed that Kling was the individual responsible for setting wooden pallets on fire – and then leaving the area without the fire being fully extinguished,” authorities said.

Kling was taken to Ocean County Jail, where he is presently lodged pending a detention hearing.

New Jersey wildfire map
The backstory:
The New Jersey Forest Fire Service says the fire has torched 15,000 acres and remains just 50% contained after it first sparked on Tuesday night. Officials say the fire could continue to burn for days before rain later this week. No injuries have been reported.

Prosecutors on Thursday reported that Joseph Kling, an Ocean Township resident, was charged with aggravated arson and arson.

According to the New Jersey Forest Fire Service, the cause of the fire was “determined to be incendiary by an improperly extinguished bonfire.”