Burlington County is partnering with the New Jersey Forest Fire Service to conduct some prescribed burning in several county parks.
Burlington County Parks System staff are developing a prescribed burning plan with the New Jersey Forest Fire Service and New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection for parts of four county parks.
The small, carefully controlled fires are used to manage vegetation and support the natural ecology of forests and other lands by clearing out old, dead trees and undergrowth to create space for new trees and plants to grow and flourish. Prescribed burns also help control non-native invasive species and reduce the danger out-of-control wildfires sparking.
The practice is widely used and research has found that it reduces the amount of carbon emitted to the atmosphere and increases a forest’s long-term ability to store carbon.
The burns will be conducted between now and the end of March in areas of Arney’s Mount Park, the Burlington County Fairgrounds (Barkers Brook), Smithville Park and Smith’s Woods and Pennington Park.
The controlled fires will be lit, monitored and managed by experienced and specially trained New Jersey Forest Fire Service firefighters when weather conditions are safe. During the burns, the parks will be closed to all visitors as part of the extensive safety precautions.
Closures will be announced approximately 48 hours before the burning occurs and will be highly weather dependent. Local police, fire department and emergency squads will also be notified.
Residents with questions about the burns can contact the Burlington County Parks System at (609) 265-5858 or email parks@co.burlington.nj.us.
