{"id":11297,"date":"2025-04-24T15:58:36","date_gmt":"2025-04-24T19:58:36","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/deptest.nj.gov\/newsrel\/?p=11297"},"modified":"2025-04-24T15:58:36","modified_gmt":"2025-04-24T19:58:36","slug":"25_0021","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/deptest.nj.gov\/newsrel\/25_0021\/","title":{"rendered":"Statement From New Jersey Commissioner of Environmental Protection Shawn M. LaTourette on the Jones Road Wildfire Arrest (25\/P021)"},"content":{"rendered":"

[vc_row][vc_column width=”1\/2″][vc_column_text css=””]FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE<\/strong>
\nApril 24, 2025[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][vc_column width=”1\/2″][vc_column_text css=””]<\/p>\n

Contact: <\/strong>Vincent Grassi (609) 984-1795
\n<\/strong>Lawrence Hajna (609) 984-1795
\nCaryn Shinske (609) 984-1795<\/p>\n

[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text css=””]<\/p>\n

STATEMENT FROM NEW JERSEY COMMISSIONER OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION SHAWN M. LATOURETTE ON THE JONES ROAD WILDFIRE ARREST<\/strong><\/h3>\n

(25\/P21) TRENTON<\/strong> \u2013 <\/strong>\u201cI\u2019d like to express my immense gratitude to Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley D. Bilhimer, the county and local officials with whom the DEP partnered throughout the investigation, and the officers responsible for the arrest of the individual charged in connection with the Jones Road Wildfire,\u201d said Environmental Protection Commissioner Shawn M. LaTourette.<\/strong> \u201cThanks to collaboration between every level of government, New Jersey averted a major disaster and even more catastrophic loss of natural resources and property. But this is no time to be complacent \u2013 the Jones Road Wildfire only reinforces the critical importance of fire safety, especially as drought conditions persist and our forest fire season continues. Knowing that the vast majority of fires in our state are human-caused, I urge all New Jerseyans once again to avoid dangerous decisions that imperil our environment, property, and families.\u201d<\/p>\n

***<\/p>\n

Joint Statement with the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office: <\/strong>WARETOWN MAN CHARGED WITH AGGRAVATED ARSON AND ARSON IN CONNECTION WITH JONES ROAD WILDFIRE<\/a><\/p>\n

NJ Wildfire SMART<\/strong>: In recognition of New Jersey’s growing wildfire threats, the Murphy Administration has launched NJ Wildfire SMART<\/a> (Safety, Mitigation, Awareness, Resources, Training), a series of actions that emphasize steps and information resources for reducing wildfire risk and spread.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\n
Wildfire Prevention Tips<\/strong><\/p>\n

Most wildfires can be avoided by adhering to commonsense safety tips:<\/p>\n