A fast-moving wildfire engulfing part of New Jersey’s Pine Barrens was expected grow Thursday, with smoke affecting the air quality in the New York City area before rain arrives this week, authorities said.

Authorities have charged a man with arson after they say he set wooden pallets on fire and failed to properly put them out in New Jersey's Pine Barrens, sparking an ongoing wildfire.

With near drought conditions, state forest fire officials reduced prescribed burns this spring and worried about “quite a fire season” ahead. A fast-moving wildfire this week triggered 3,000 evacuations and part closure of the Garden State Parkway.