Smoke From Prescribed Burns Drifting Through Ocean County

Smoky conditions are being reported in parts of northern Ocean County and southern Monmouth County on Wednesday afternoon due to prescribed burns being conducted by the New Jersey Forest Fire Service, authorities said.

The controlled burns are being conducted at several sites in Ocean County, including in Jackson, Manchester and at Wells Mills Park in Waretown.

The smoke was blowing into Lakewood and Howell, according to the Ocean County Sheriff's Office and Howell authorities.

Prescribed burns are used to reduce the leaves, branches and other forest debris that can help spread a wildfire, the state forest fire service said.

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

The controlled burns — managed by forest fire service firefighters — also help reduce the presence of damaging insects and ticks, and recycle nutrients into the soil.

"Allowing experts to choose the intensity, timing and interval of fire across the landscape may help prevent a larger uncontrolled wildfire," officials said.