Prescribed Burns Return: Find When To Expect Them In Barnegat

BARNEGAT-MANAHAWKIN, NJ — Smell smoke in the air? You might not need to worry - the Department of Environmental Protection has started up prescribed burns in the Pinelands again.

Prescribed burns, typically done between February and April, improve habitat for plants and animals, reduce the presence of damaging insects and ticks, and recycle nutrients into the soil, according to the New Jersey Forest Fire Service.

Alerts of prescribed burns are often sent out by the Ocean County Sheriff's Office, and you can visit the Forest Fire Service's special dashboard to see when you can expect a prescribed burn in the next five days and when they are currently being done.

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

"Proactive forest management, including prescribed burning, is vital to protecting public safety and helps to ensure that we protect the long-term health and success of our forests," Commissioner Shawn LaTourette previously said. "By reducing forest fire fuels through strategic prescribed burning, our Forest Fire Service protects New Jersey communities and ecosystems and helps to avoid catastrophic releases of carbon during wildfires that would contribute to climate change."

Prescribed burning is also an important part of the state's carbon defense strategy. 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, the Forest Fire Service said.

The Forest Fire Service also posts their daily prescribed burn schedule on their Facebook page. Residents can also sign up for text or email notifications of prescribed burns by following this link.