Air Quality Alert Issued for NYC as New Jersey Wildfire Continues to Burn

Smoke fills the air from a wildfire in Ocean County, N.J., on April 24, 2025. WPVI-TV via AP

Smoke from an enormous wildfire in central New Jersey prompted the National Weather Service (NWS) to issue an air quality alert for New York City on Thursday.

With smoke and fine particles raising pollution levels, New York City residents are being advised to limit outdoor physical activity to reduce adverse health effects, the NWS said in the air quality alert.

“People who may be especially sensitive to the effects of elevated levels of pollutants include the very young, and those with preexisting respiratory problems such as asthma or heart disease,” the agency said.

A toll-free air quality hotline has been opened so New Yorkers can get an update on air quality in their area. The number is 1-800-535-1345.

The alert pertains to New York, the Bronx, Kings, Queens, Richmond, Nassau, Suffolk, Westchester, and Rockland, and will be in effect until midnight ET on Thursday night.

Smoke fills the sky from a wildfire in Lacey Townships, N.J., on April 22, 2025. New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection via AP

In a joint statement, the Ocean County Prosecutor, the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection, and the Ocean Township Chief of Police said 19-year-old Joseph Kling of Waretown, Ocean Township, had been charged with aggravated arson and arson in connection with a wildfire. He allegedly lit a bonfire of wooden pallets on the morning of April 22 and left without the fire being fully extinguished.

“The cause of the fire was determined to be incendiary by an improperly extinguished bonfire,” the statement read.

Kling has been taken into custody.

The fire spread fast, setting the Pine Barrens ablaze at lightning speed. Thousands of people have been evacuated from their homes.

No injuries have been reported from the wildfire.

According to a recent update from the New Jersey Forest Fire Service, the fire is currently 50 percent contained. More than 15,100 acres have been burned so far. The 5,000 people who were evacuated from Ocean and Lacey Townships on Tuesday have been allowed to return home.

The Fire Service reported on Thursday that multiple outbuildings and vehicles have been destroyed, along with at least one commercial building, while 8 more structures remained threatened.

A complete damage assessment is being prepared, the service said.

New Jersey Forest Fire Service repeated its plea to the public to refrain from flying drones over the affected areas as firefighters continued their efforts to contain the blaze.

“During a wildfire, our aircraft fly low to the ground, often at the same altitude that a drone would fly,” the service said in the announcement. “If a drone is detected flying over or near a wildfire, all Forest Fire Service air support will be grounded—hampering suppression and observation efforts.”

From NTD News