Prescribed Burn Slated For Berkeley On Nov. 30

BERKELEY TOWNSHIP, NJ - If you smell smoke in the Dover Road area of Berkeley and South Toms River on Thursday, it's nothing to be worried about.

The New Jersey Forest Fire Service will be conducting a prescribed burn on the Haines Natural Lands Trust property on Dover Road in Berkeley Township. The Ocean County Parks & Recreation staff will be assisting with the burn.

The prescribed burning program eliminates the buildup of undergrowth fallen trees and branches, leaves, pine needles and other flammable debris.

"Prescribed burning is an important tool in keeping our forests and other wildlands safe and healthy,"Bill Edwards, Chief of the New Jersey Forest Fire Service, has said. "These burns are conducted only under exacting conditions by highly trained personnel. By burning them away now, we can reduce the risk of these materials serving as tinder for wildfires later in the year. This practice also improves the overall ecological health of our forests and grasslands."

Photo: Patch archive photo

Video: Courtesy of Ocean County Parks and Recreation Department