Wildfire season has arrived, and despite seeing a lot of rain and snow
this spring, parts of New Jersey are abnormally dry.
“We
are experiencing dry weather right now, and we are right in our
prime-time wildfire season, especially as we are encroaching on the month of
April,”
says Forest Fire Warden Shawn Judy.
Throughout February and March, Judy and his
staff intentionally set fires to burn away forest surface fuels.
But Judy says the highest risks in New Jersey come from the
smaller wildfires near neighborhoods bordering the Pinelands.
Last year, a fire damaged dozens of homes in Brick Township and Lakewood.
“We refer to those areas as the wildland urban
interface, and they are susceptible to fires and large fires encroaching
on their property,” says Judy.
Judy says even if we see an inch or so of rain
Wednesday, it only takes about one to two days for conditions to return to
dangerous levels.
The Forest Fire Service says 99% of wildfires are started by humans,
whether intentionally or accidentally. They expect more people to be outside
this spring than the last two years and ask people enjoying the state
lands to be extra careful and vigilant.