New Jersey Forest Protection Services announced Saturday an increase in preventative measures to stop any further forest fires from spreading.The surge comes after 47 intense forest fires have swept through New Jersey this year alone. Last week, a fire in Barnegat destroyed thousands of acres and forced more than 50 families to evacuate their homes.?Very little rain has made this year a tough season for forest fires? said Forest Service Fire Fighter Harold Ryan.? Ryan says new firefighting measures include digging a line around the fire by hand so that once the fire hits the area, it will be stopped. Many state parks have issued a ban on open burning as a result of the dry season. The Forest Service asks park visitors to check with their area state fire warden for more information.