There is an increased risk for rapid fire spread this afternoon across portions of New Jersey and eastern Pennsylvania.”

Firefighters are making progress with the wildfire in the Pine Barrens section of southern Ocean County. Some 50% of the fire has been contained, the New Jersey Forest Fire Service said Wednesday afternoon.

Authorities say a man set wooden pallets on fire and failed to properly put them out in New Jersey’s Pine Barrens, sparking a quick-moving wildfire with smoke affecting the air quality in the New York City area.

Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley Billhimer and Department of Environmental Protection Commissioner Shawn LaTourette said the Waretown man faces aggravated arson and arson charges in the southern New Jersey wildfire, which authorities said Thursday morning grew to more than 23 square miles.