Did you smell smoke in the air on Tuesday? According to officials, it was most likely from the prescribed burns in South Jersey.
The New Jersey Forest Fire Service is currently doing controlled burns in several areas and it's likely causing that smoky smell impacting parts of the Philadelphia region.
Officials explained why prescribed burning is happening in the state's forests because it helps crews control the potential of future wildfires.
On Tuesday, March 26, prescribed burning operations were in the following areas:
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- Burlington County - Bass River Twp. - Wharton State Forest
- Burlington County - Pemberton Twp. - Brendan T. Byrne State Forest
- Burlington County - Tabernacle Twp. - Private Property
- Cape May County - Dennis Twp. - Belleplain State Forest
- Ocean County - Little Egg Harbor Twp. - Bass River State Forest
- Ocean County - Manchester Twp. - County Property
The prescribed burns make the habitats for animals and plants better, reduce the presence of damaging insects and ticks, and recycle nutrients into the soil.
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"There are multiple benefits to prescribed burning, which is a safe, effective and efficient means of managing the buildup of forest fuels that may contribute to the start and spread of a wildfire. By actively eliminating sources of fuel that exacerbate forest fire risks through a controlled and prescribed burning program, the Forest Fire Service reduces risk to New Jersey residents, visitors and the environment," according to the New Jersey Forest Fire Service.
In addition, prescribed burning is an important part of the state’s carbon defense strategy. Allowing experts to choose the intensity, timing and interval of fire across the landscape may help prevent a larger uncontrolled wildfire, which would contribute to significant carbon loss.
Typically, most prescribed burns take place between February and early April.
For the latest on what locations are scheduled for prescribed burns, click here.
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