A man set a bonfire using wooden pallets in New Jersey’s Pine Barrens and left them without fully extinguishing the blaze, sparking a quick-moving wildfire with smoke affecting air quality in the New York City area, authorities said Thursday.

Authorities arrested Joseph Kling, 19, of Waretown, New Jersey, and charged him with arson and aggravated arson in the fire that’s still burning in southern New Jersey. The wildfire was described as starting with “an improperly extinguished bonfire.”

Judge James Gluck told Kling during a brief court appearance Thursday the state sought to have him detained pending trial and he wouldn’t be released. Kling spoke briefly, only to clarify that his next court appearance was set for Tuesday. “Thank you. Have a good day,” he said when the judge dismissed him.

A public defender representing Kling during the hearing told the judge she had “nothing further” when he asked.

Emails from the public defender’s office said Thursday it could not comment on a pending case so early in the process.

— The Associated Press