New Jersey highlights fire towers, prescribed burns as key tools in wildfire prevention
NEW JERSEY – State environmental officials are emphasizing the critical role of fire towers and prescribed burns in preventing wildfires as New Jersey enters peak fire season.
The Department of Environmental Protection’s Forest Fire Service demonstrated prescribed fire operations this week while underscoring their importance in reducing hazardous forest fuels that can lead to fast-moving wildfires, particularly in densely populated areas.
Prescribed burns, which are intentionally set under controlled conditions, are one of the state’s primary tools for lowering wildfire risk. Officials say the operations help remove excess vegetation that can fuel fires, while also improving forest health, reducing insect populations and recycling nutrients into the soil.
“Prescribed fire remains one of the most effective tools to reduce wildfire risk and maintain healthy forest ecosystems,” said Greg McLaughlin, Administrator for Forests & Natural Lands. “When conditions allow, these carefully planned burns help protect communities while supporting the long-term health of New Jersey’s forests.”
The Forest Fire Service plans to treat about 25,000 acres this year through prescribed burns, though progress depends heavily on weather conditions. Last year, a prolonged drought limited operations to fewer than 4,000 acres, the lowest total in 25 years.
Peak wildfire season in New Jersey runs from mid-March through mid-May, when dry conditions and wind can quickly spread fires. Officials say early detection is critical during this period — and that’s where fire towers play a key role.
Staffed fire towers, in use since the early 1900s, allow trained observers to spot smoke, assess fire behavior and pinpoint locations within minutes — often before emergency calls are made. In a state where development closely borders forested areas, these early warnings can mean the difference between a small brush fire and a major wildfire.
“As New Jersey continues to see the effects of climate change, including an increase in the number of annual fire weather days, it is more important than ever to ensure we have eyes in the sky protecting New Jerseyans from wildfire,” said John Cecil, Assistant Commissioner for State Parks, Forests & Historic Sites.
“Having started my career as a fire observer in a tower and later serving as a field firewarden, I know how critical the information relayed from fire observers is to crews on the ground when every second counts to save lives and property,” said Bill Donnelly, Chief of the Forest Fire Service. “The Veterans Fire Tower serves an area of the state with a significant amount of wildland-urban interface, which is where human development is intertwined with the forest, making the tower a vital tool to keep the public safe.”
The Forest Fire Service also recently launched the NJ Wildfire SMART initiative, aimed at increasing public awareness and encouraging steps to reduce wildfire risks.
Officials are urging residents to remain cautious during prescribed burns, slow down near active operations and report any fires they are unsure about.
As part of those efforts, state officials also dedicated the new Veterans Fire Tower in Jackson Township — the first fire tower constructed in New Jersey in 78 years. The 133-foot structure replaces an older tower in Lakewood and improves wildfire detection coverage for Ocean and Monmouth counties, helping protect more than 500,000 residents and nearly 200,000 homes.
