Controlled Burn Scheduled At Lord Stirling Park In Basking Ridge

BASKING RIDGE, NJ — The New Jersey Forest Fire Service is conducting controlled burns at Somerset County Environmental Education Center on Tuesday.

A prescribed burn is planned on March 19 at the center in Lord Stirling Park in Basking Ridge.

Prescribed burns, typically done between February and April, are done to control woody and invasive species, returning nutrients to the soil and facilitating the regeneration of high value, biodiverse habitats.

"By actively eliminating sources of fuel that exacerbate forest fire risks through a controlled and prescribed burning program, the Forest Fire Service reduces risk to New Jersey residents, visitors and the environment," according to New Jersey Forest Fire Service.

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.

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

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