Forecasters are warning of low humidity and gusty wind increased the risk fire could spread across parts of New Jersey, Philadelphia and its suburbs and Delaware as firefighters continued to battled a vast wildfire in the Pine Barrens.

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

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.