If my arithmetic is correct, this is the 85th year that the New Jersey Forest Fire Service (NJFFS) has conducted prescribed burns, sometimes abbreviated as Rx Burns. (see this 2019 news release from the NJ Dept of Environmental Protection (DEP) for more information on prescribed burns).
Prescribed burns help reduce forest fire risk before prime wildfire season, which ramps up in April and continues through May. During this time of year fallen leaves, branches and twigs are abundant, day length increases, humidity can be low, and it is often warm and windy. Those weather conditions coupled with lack of new leaf growth makes forest debris more susceptible to the drying effects of wind and sun. During prescribed burns, Forest Fire Service personnel use handheld torches to set smaller fires to burn away fallen leaves, pine needles, fallen branches and other debris on the forest floor. (Source: April 24 2019 news release from the NJDEP).
The NJFFS conducts prescribed burns, mostly during the spring but sometimes at other times of year when conditions are favorable. I know that the NJFFS conducted prescribed burns in the late winter and spring of 2020 (see my February 3rd, February 28th, and March 2nd articles from early 2020). In addition, private landowners may get a permit from the NJFFS to conduct prescribed burns on their property, see this FAQ for more information.
The New Jersey Forest Fire Service has a webpage devoted to prescribed burns, it is chock full of good information.
The conditions for conducting favorable prescribed burns in northern and central New Jersey seemed to align this past weekend as there were prescribed burns on November 20th, 21st and 22nd (NJFFS Facebook page posts):
Friday, November 20th (Division A, northern New Jersey)
- Sussex County, Wantage -- Luscroft Farm (Highpoint State Park and New Jersey Veterans Memorial)
- Morris County: Jefferson -- Camp Jefferson
Saturday November 21st: Sussex County -- Stokes State Forest (Division A, northern New Jersey)
Sunday, November 22nd: Ocean County -- Lacey -- Rogers Rd and Tuckerton RR Bed
Nice job NJFFS crews. I am very proud of you. You honor New Jersey and reduce wildfire risk by conducting prescribed burns. You have a long legacy of doing prescribed burns, setting a fine example of what can be done to reduce wildfire risk through annual prescribed burns.
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