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State firefighters have doused 315 wildfires this year

The dry and windy weather conditions across New Jersey led the state Wednesday to urge the public to exercise caution as part of an effort to prevent wildfires.

The fire danger is rated as high throughout most of the state, meaning wildfires, once started, can spread rapidly, Environmental Protection Commissioner Bob Martin warned.

The state Forest Fire Service has responded to 315 wildfires that have burned 254 acres so far this year, compared with 167 fires that burned 176 acres during the same period last year.

"Conditions have been dry coming out of the winter and into early spring," Martin said. "A carelessly tossed match or cigarette, an improperly tended campfire, even a poorly maintained chimney can spark disaster."

"We've been experiencing a series of weak cold fronts that bring little precipitation but cause higher winds and lower humidity that can dry out forest," Forest Fire Service Acting Chief Michael Drake said. "As a result, the Forest Fire Service is stepping up fire patrols, manning of fire observation towers, and other response capabilities."

Fire danger is exacerbated by the fact that the forest canopy has not leafed out, allowing the sun and wind to dry the forest floor.

Martin said 99 percent of all wildfires in New Jersey are caused by human activity, usually carelessness, negligence or arson. The Forest Fire Service works to prevent wildfires year-round through public outreach and education efforts, prescribed burning operations, and maintenance of fire breaks.

Martin added that wildfire risks increase with every new structure built in or adjacent to forests. He said wildfires can spread quickly, threatening homes, property, natural resources and human lives, yet most are preventable.

The commissioner offered these guidelines to reduce the risk of fires:

* Use ashtrays in vehicles. Discarding cigarettes, matches and smoking materials is a violation of state law.

* Obtain necessary permits for campfires. Don't leave fires unattended. Douse them completely.

* Keep matches and lighters away from children. Teach them the dangers of fire.

* People living in the forest should maintain a defensible buffer by clearing vegetation within 30 feet of any structures. Also, make sure fire trucks can pass down your driveway.

* Report suspicious vehicles and individuals. Arson is a major cause of forest fires in New Jersey.

—TOM HESTER SR., NEWJERSEYNEWSROOM.COM