This year marked the most active wildfire season in New Jersey in more than a decade. And the growing number of fires posed a problem for local fire departments, burning through their budgets to fight wildfires. Some environmental experts say that wildfire season could turn into a year-round event, with climate change a significant factor in the growing number of wildfires.
John Cecil, the assistant commissioner of state parks, forests and historic sites for the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection, said so far this year there have been 1,032 wildfires, with 18,039 acres burned and 14 of the fires considered major. And in anticipation of a busy fire season in October, calls are being made for additional funding for equipment and staffing.
“We need new aircraft and new vehicles,” said Department of Environmental Protection Commissioner Shawn LaTourette, who described the state Forest Fire Service as “the duct tape of state government,” adding “they literally can do anything.” LaTourette said, “The governor, and Legislature has made an investment of an additional $3 million into our forest fire service to precure the equipment that we need and increased our staffing by a full six full-time staff, which may not sound like a lot, but in a time of constrained government budgets where flat is the new up, six is a lot.”
