Looks like winter/spring forest fire might be drawing to a close after hundreds of fires and thousands of acres burned since beginning of year in New Jersey.
Spring forest fire season has closed thanks to rain and green up. Firetowers were scheduled to be staffed from Feb 4th to April 28th.
Just in April, North Jersey numbered 105 wildfires consuming 1091acres, so far this year 227 fires burned 1,178.75 acres. Statewide, 568 fires burned 7,911.5 acres. Structures and vehicles were damaged or destroyed.
Hardwick had two wildfires that burned 10.5 acres. Also in Hardwick, a prescribed burn involved 40 acres.
Other prescribed burns in Frelinghuysen and Knowlton were conducted. Thousands of acres were prescribed burned statewide to reduce fuel loads, fire hazards, improve wildlife habitat and forest health.
Now efforts will turn to fire equipment, fire tower maintenance , training and preparation for out-of-state fire assignments.
Many fires have been ignited by dead trees falling on power lines and also illegal burning of debris.
.
Desi Dunn
Born & educated in NY with an Environmental Science degree, my husband and I reside in Hardwick with our young daughter and several spoiled pets. This is a true gem in Northwest New Jersey, and my commitment to the people and environs has been shown in the many different fields I've worked - municipal & county official, election clerk, open space plan writer, newspaper & radio journalist, grant writer, events coordinator and farm market manager as well as retail, waitressing, archiological digger and once for a short while in a very huge warehouse.
My favorite was as a reporter where I could take my camera and notebook to capture some of the interesting people and stories around us. I'm thrilled to now serve as RVE's Managing Editor and hope to help fellow writers hone their skills and show you the issues as well as treasures that exist in North Warren, through their eyes.
