The Department of Environmental Protection Forest Fire Service is taking proactive measures ahead of wildfire season “to mitigate the risk of more frequent and intense wildfires in a changing climate, enhance habitats for plants and animals, and safeguard ecosystems.”

Last year was the busiest for wildfires in New Jersey in more than 20 years, with 1,194 wildfires burning over 18,000 acres.

The Forest Fire Service’s prescribed burning program is a major part of the mitigation efforts. This involves setting strategic fires to reduce wildland fire fuels, improve habitats for plants and animals, reduce the presence of damaging insects and recycle nutrients into the soil. The Service has announced a plan to treat 25,000 acres of forests, grasslands and marsh with prescribed fire in 2024.

“Prescribed fire not only fosters resilience and diversity in the landscape, but also helps to safeguard our communities,” DEP Commissioner Shawn LaTourette said. “By executing planned prescribed fires throughout New Jersey’s wooded areas, we are limiting the risk of a catastrophic release of carbon during a wildfire.”