Stories that are getting the most attention from our readers this week.
A 19-year-old faces charges for allegedly sparking New Jersey’s largest wildfire in nearly two decades, burning more than 15,000 acres so far. Investigators say he failed to fully extinguish a bonfire in the Pine Barrens, creating ideal conditions for a blaze fueled by wind and drought. With evacuation orders and widespread smoke alerts, firefighters rely on controlled burns to contain the threat, currently about halfway under control.