Wildfire Season: What Chester Residents Can Do To Reduce Risk

CHESTER, NJ — The Forest Fire Service and the local fire department are reminding the public of important safety tips to help reduce the possibility of wildfires in the community during peak wildfire season.

In New Jersey, the peak wildfire season typically lasts from mid-March to May, when the weather warms, humidity drops and winds pick up.

The Chester Volunteer Fire Company previously reminded all residents that on any given day, conditions can worsen and become dangerous, increasing the risk of a forest fire.

Officials also reminded all residents that open burning of brush piles, leaves and debris is not permitted in Chester unless you have the proper permits from the Forest Fire Service.

"Ninety-nine percent of wildfires in New Jersey are caused by humans through accidents, carelessness, negligence and even arson," said Greg McLaughlin, Administrator and Chief of the Forest Fire Service. "The Forest Fire Service works diligently with local communities to educate residents how to keep their homes ‘Firewise’ in areas with high wildfire risk."

In Chester, Fire Chief William Taquinto said he would advise residents to use caution when discarding cigarettes and cigars, as those can potentially cause larger fires to build in the right conditions.

"When fueling gas power motors (lawn mowers, weed wackers, leaf blowers, etc.), use caution not to spill fuel, causing a potential fire hazard. Use extreme caution when utilizing outdoor fire places, fire pits and so on, as they can create hot embers that travel outside of the contained fire on windy days," Taquinto added.

The New Jersey Forest Fire Service uses prescribed burns as well as other techniques to reduce risks to property and the risk of a fire occurring in any given area of the state.

Prescribed burns reduce the risk of forest fires by burning vegetative fuels, such as fallen trees and dried leaves, in a controlled manner. Morris County Parks Commission has been working with the state to conduct controlled burns in the county since 2010.

In Chester, prescribed burns were recommended for several acres of parkland this year, mainly encompassing land near the Elizabeth D. Kay Environmental Center. A total of 14 acres of land near the environmental center, officials said.

According to the Forest Fire Service, allowing experts to choose the intensity, timing, and interval of fire across the landscape may help prevent a larger, uncontrolled wildfire, which would contribute to significant carbon loss.

In February, the New Jersey Forest Fire Service conducted controlled burning on North Road and Pleasant Hill Road.

Despite the dry conditions, Taquinto said Chester has only had one brush fire in the last few weeks, which was caused by a downed power line.

"As always, please be safe, and should you have any questions, please reach out to us or stop by on Wednesdays at 7 p.m. or Sunday mornings at 9 a.m., and we will be happy to answer any questions," the Chester Volunteer Fire Company said.