Joseph Kling, 19, is charged with arson in the Ocean County, N.J.​ wildfire that has scorched more than 15,000 acres.

A 19-year-old faces arson charges in connection to a southern New Jersey wildfire that has scorched at least 15,000 acres and prompted thousands of evacuations, officials said.

Joseph Kling, 19, was charged with arson and aggravated arson in connection with the wildfire that started in Waretown (Ocean County’s Ocean Township) on Tuesday, according to law enforcement and state officials.