Controlled Burns Being Conducted In Ocean County

OCEAN COUNTY, NJ — The New Jersey Forest Fire Service is conducting controlled burns in several areas on Monday, including sites in Ocean County.

The Ocean County Sheriff's Office said burns were being conducted at Cattus Island County Park, along Route 70 at mile marker 35 in Manchester, and off Stump Tavern Road in Jackson on Monday.

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.

There were more than 900 wildfires in New Jersey in 2021, state officials said.

"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 Shawn M. LaTourette, commissioner of the state Department of Environmental Protection.

"Prescribed burns improve habitat for plants and animals, reduce the presence of damaging insects and ticks, and recycle nutrients into the soil," the Forest Fire Service said. "Allowing experts to choose the intensity, timing and interval of fire across the landscape may help prevent a larger uncontrolled wildfire."

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).

The forest fire service said the following areas also were on the list for controlled burns over the holiday weekend:

• Barnegat Township - County Property
• Berkeley Township - Double Trouble State Park
• Jackson Township - County Property
• Lacey Township - Greenwood Forest Wildlife Management Area
• Plumsted Township - Private Property
• Stafford Township - Private Property

The schedule is weather-dependent and subject to change.