Jacob Brown
New Jersey authorities are warning residents as the state braces for peak wildfire season this month. Last year marked the most active fire season in over a decade, and concern is mounting over the potential risks and necessary precautions.
Reviewing Last Year’s Fire Activity:
In 2023, New Jersey experienced a wildfire surge, with nearly 1,200 blazes scorching over 18,000 acres statewide.
Notably, fourteen of these fires were classified as primary, including one devastating blaze in Ocean County that spanned over 3,400 acres and prompted 170 evacuations.
Updates and Preparedness Measures:
To address the looming wildfire threat, the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP) convened a press conference to update preparations for the 2024 wildfire season.
Forest fire service teams unveiled new tracking tools and emphasized the importance of readiness in the face of volatile wildland fuels.
William Donnelly, Chief of the New Jersey Forest Fire Service, highlighted the numerical trends, revealing that since January 2024, the state has already experienced almost 220 wildfires, consuming approximately 170 acres. Comparatively, the corresponding period of 2023 witnessed over 350 fires scorching 970 acres.
Proactive Measures and Prescribed Burns:
Efforts to mitigate wildfire risks have been underway, with the execution of more than 14,200 prescribed burns to clear underbrush and organic material.
These controlled burns serve as preemptive measures to reduce the potential fuel for brush fires.
Community Engagement and Fire Prevention Tips:
Residents are urged to remain vigilant and implement fire prevention strategies, including correctly disposing of smoking materials and ensuring campfires are never left unattended. Creating defensible space around homes can also safeguard properties from potential wildfire damage.
A new online platform, the Wildfire Risk Assessment Portal, has been launched to empower land managers, town officials, and residents to assess their specific fire risk.
This tool enhances preparedness and facilitates informed decision-making in wildfire-prone areas.
Real-time Response to Brush Fire Incidents:
Despite proactive measures, firefighters responded to a brush fire near Newark Airport, underscoring the ongoing risk.
However, authorities ensure that flight operations remain unaffected, emphasizing the importance of swift and coordinated responses to mitigate wildfire incidents.
