Forest Fire Service Conducting Prescribed Burns Near Wall, Authorities Say

Wall residents may see and smell smoke in the area over the next few days as the New Jersey State Forestry Service conducts prescribed burns in Monmouth County, according to an notice from state forestry officials.

“Prescribed burning is part of a planned strategy that the state uses to reduce accumulations of undergrowth, fallen branches and downed trees that can act as tinder and increase the severity of wildfires, making them difficult to control,” state forester Lynn Fleming said. “Prescribed burns help protect lives and property and, at the same time, improve the overall health of our forests.”

Prescribed burns are taking place Monday, March 30 through Wednesday, April 1, in parts of Ocean, Monmouth, Cumberland and Burlington counties, the forest service said.

In Wall, they are burning 100 acres of grass at Allaire State Park near the Brisbane area, the service said.

They also are burning 100 acres of grass at the Assunpink WMA in Upper Freehold Township and Roosevelt near Route 571, officials said.

Prescribed burns are carried out by highly trained and experienced firefighters, under exacting weather conditions and with the necessary support equipment. Prescribed fires are generally conducted during the winter months to minimize the amount of smoke produced, and when weather conditions tend to be safer for controlled fires, the service said in a news release.

The Forest Fire Service, part of the DEP’s Forestry Services, expects to burn about 10,000 acres of forests and grasslands this season.

Residents in areas where burns are taking place -- on state-owned property such as state forests, wildlife management areaa and public lands -- may see and smell smoke, though efforts are made to minimize the impact, the release said.

For more information about New Jersey’s prescribed burning program and where burns are expected to be conducted, call the State Forestry Services at (609) 292-2977 or check out the State Forestry Services’ Facebook page.

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