NEW JERSEY – The New Jersey Forest Fire Service is urging residents and visitors to exercise caution during this period of prolonged dry conditions, which have led to a very high fire danger across the state.
With 99% of wildfires in New Jersey being human-caused, the Forest Fire Service emphasizes that most wildfires can be prevented by following commonsense safety tips:
- Proper Disposal: Do not discard cigarettes, matches, or other smoking materials on the ground.
- Safe Use of Fireplaces: Use wood stoves and fireplaces carefully, as they can emit embers that may spark fires. Always fully douse ashes with water before disposal.
- Teach Fire Safety: Keep matches and lighters away from children and educate them about fire safety. Kids can learn about wildfire safety through Smokey Bear’s new mobile game, “Smokey’s Scouts,” available at SmokeyBear.com.
- Defensible Space: Protect your home and other structures from wildfires by creating defensible space. More information can be found at the New Jersey Division of Parks and Forestry website.
Additionally, Stage 2 fire restrictions are currently in effect. This means that all fires in wooded areas are prohibited unless they are contained in an elevated prepared fireplace, an elevated charcoal grill, or a stove using electricity or liquid or gas fuel.
An elevated prepared fireplace must meet specific criteria:
- It must be constructed of steel, stone, brick, or concrete.
- It should be elevated at least one foot above the ground.
- It must be surrounded by a mineral soil radius of no less than ten feet.
To view the current fire danger, click here.
