Controlled Burns Slated For Ocean County This Weekend

OCEAN COUNTY, NJ - Don't be alarmed today if you see large plumes of smoke in some wooded areas and forests, especially in the sprawling Pine Barrens in southern New Jersey.

The New Jersey State Forest Fire Service is doing the burns in several areas of Ocean County today.

The prescribed burns, also known as controlled burns, will continue through the end of March and take place on roughly 30,000 acres. Most burns will occur on state-owned property such as state forests, parks and wildlife management areas, and other government lands.

Here are the areas slated for prescribed burns today:

• Stafford Forge in Little Egg Harbor Township
• Double Trouble State Park in Lacey Township
• Boy/Girl Scout Camp-Brookville in Waretown
• Route 539 in Manchester Township
• Miller Air Park in Berkeley Township
• Bowman Road, Jackson

The service takes advantage of the late winter months to burn potential forest fire fuels such as undergrowth, leaves, branches and pine needle on forest floors to reduce wildfire risks, according to the state Department of Environmental Protection.

Personnel use handheld torches to set smaller fires to burn away debris on forest floors. They consider wind, moisture and other weather conditions before starting the controlled burns to avoid damaging mature trees or the forest canopy, according to the DEP.

Prime wildfire season typically begins in early spring when fallen leaves, branches and twigs are in abundance and the wether is likely to be dry, windy and warm. Spring weather conditions coupled with lack of new leaf growth makes forest debris more susceptible to the drying effects of wind and sun.

When in doubt about the source of smoke or if a fire is part of a prescribed burning operation, call 9-1-1 or 1-877-WARN-DEP (1-877-927-6337).

The public may contact one of the State Forest Fire Service's three Division offices at www.nj.gov/dep/parksandforests/fire/contactus.html to learn more about the prescribed burns program and where burns are expected to be conducted.

To learn more about wildfires in New Jersey, steps to protect property, and other resources, click on the Forest Fire Service logo above or visit: www.njwildfire.org

Photo: Courtesy of New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection