Controlled Burn Underway In Barnegat Tuesday

BARNEGAT, NJ — Controlled burns are being conducted by the New Jersey Forest Fire Service in Barnegat Township on Tuesday morning.

Township officials put out an alert that said Tuesday's controlled burn is in the area of Pancoast Road behind Mirage and Heritage Point developments. Residents can expect to see smoke throughout the day as a result.

Controlled burns, which the forest fire service calls prescribed burns, are designed to burn off brush, leaves, pine needles and other debris in wooded areas that could provide fuel for wildfires or forest fires later in the spring and summer. Reducing the potential fuel helps slow down the speed with which a forest fire can spread.

The Forest Fire Service has created an interactive map at njwildfire.org, that shows where controlled burns are scheduled to be conducted within the next five days. It also lists the daily schedule on its Facebook page.

Officials said if you are in doubt about the source of smoke or fire, call 9-1-1 or 877-WARN-DEP (877-927-6337).