Prescribed Burning Monday At Double Trouble State Park

BERKELEY, NJ — The New Jersey Forest Fire Service is conducting prescribed burning at Double Trouble State Park in Berkeley and Lacey on Feb. 6.

There is also burning in the area of Lacey Road, according to the Ocean County Sheriff's Office.

"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," said Commissioner Shawn LaTourette. "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."

Smoke will be present in the Double Trouble area on Monday.

According to the Forest Fire Service, prescribed burns improve habitat for plants and animals, reduce the presence of damaging insects and ticks, and recycle nutrients into the soil. In addition, prescribed burning is 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.

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