New Jersey wildfire continues to burn, air quality alert issued: See map
A wildfire in New Jersey has set thousands of acres ablaze as firefighters work to contain the flames, according to officials.
The Jones Road wildfire in Ocean County, New Jersey, has consumed 15,000 acres and is 50% contained, according to a post by the New Jersey Forest Fire Service on Facebook.
Around 5,000 residents were forced to evacuate their homes, and the fire threatened over a thousand structures, but evacuation orders have since been lifted.
New Jersey wildfire map
What caused the Jones Road wildfire?
Officials believe the fire was started by a bonfire that was not extinguished properly, according to Paste BN's reporting. Authorities have arrested and charged the man they believe is responsible for causing the 15,000-acre fire.
Joseph Kling, 19, of Ocean Township, New Jersey, is suspected of starting a bonfire which later erupted into the fire that caused thousands to evacuate their homes.
Officials believe he started a bonfire with wooden pallets and then left without properly extinguishing the flames.
New Jersey air quality map
Smoke, ash and chemicals from the fire are dispersing into the air around New Jersey, according to experts from Hackensack Meridian Health.
As the wind in the area continues to blow, it will spread all those particles to the New York metro area, reported NorthJersey.com, a part of the Paste BN Network.
Air quality alert issued for NYC
NYC is feeling the impact of the wildfire, prompting an air quality alert to be issued. The counties affected include New York, Bronx, Kings, Queens, Richmond, Nassau, Suffolk, Westchester, and Rockland, according to the National Weather Service. The alert will remain in effect until midnight.
Wildfire led to power outages
Thousands of customers were also without power on Tuesday after the Jersey Central Power & Light, JCP&L, was asked to cut power for the safety of those battling the fire, according to the electrical company.
Since then, all affected customers have had their power restored, JCP&L announced on Wednesday.
This story has been updated to add new information.
Contributing: Jenna Calderón, Jeanine Santucci; Paste BN NETWORK
Julia is a trending reporter for Paste BN. Connect with her on LinkedIn,X, Instagram and TikTok: @juliamariegz, or email her at jgomez@gannett.com