Direct link to video from the New Jersey Forest Fire Service on YouTube Today, Feb 24, @NJDEPForestFire plans to conduct prescribed fire operations in Burlington, Gloucester, Hunterdon & Ocean counties.🔥 Active / upcoming prescribed burn map: https://t.co/rOnoLpw39A🔗 More info about prescribed burning: https://t.co/KkuhK2hswN pic.twitter.com/R1qttx2l5n— New Jersey Forest Fire Service (@njdepforestfire) February 24, 2025 The late winter/early spring prescribed burning season in New Jersey is underway. I saw the first notifications about prescribed burns in New Jersey on the New Jersey Forest Fire Service's (NJFFS) account on X (formerly known as Twitter) on February 22nd. The video that I embedded above was uploaded by the NJFFS in early spring of 2024. It is a nice short video with good information on the benefits of prescribed burns. The NJFFS has a nice page describing their prescribed burning program including some history, information on planning including the fact that the prescribed burning season is limited to October 1 to March 31, and conducting the burn along with other information. The NJFFS first conducted prescribed burns in 1928. The NJFFS has a good summary of prescribed burns on that page:The primary purpose of prescribed burning in New Jersey is to reduce
the hazardous accumulations of forest fuels. This aids in the prevention
of wildfires, reduces the intensity of the fires, and also provides a
foundation for safer, more effective fire suppression and protection
operations.
It has proven to be an effective and economical practice in
protecting New Jersey's forests and safeguarding the state's residents.
While the principle reason for prescribed burning is wildfire hazard
reduction, it also has numerous secondary benefits, including:
Wildlife habitat management
Site management for forestry activities
Ecological plant and animal management
Forest disease and pest control
Nutrient recycling
Grassland management
Improved accessibility
Enhanced appearances I will keep an eye on the prescribed burns that the NJFFS is conducting.
