Prescribed burn to occur on JB MDL Published March 15, 2013 By Joint Base Fire Emergency Service JOINT BASE MCGUIRE-DIX-LAKEHURST -- The Joint Base Fire Emergency Service and the Department of Natural Resources personnel are scheduled to conduct a prescribed burn from 10:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. at Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst today. A prescribed burn is "the skillful application of fire under exacting conditions of weather and fuel in a predetermined area, for a specific purpose to achieve specific results." For many years fire has been used as a tool to protect the lives and property of residents living near the forests of JB MDL. The professionals do this by setting fires under exacting conditions to reduce the underbrush, the "fuel" for a fire, in areas prone to fire. Using fire in this manner requires a high level of skill the professionals obtain through extensive, ongoing training. The primary purpose of prescribed burning on JB MDL is to reduce the hazardous accumulations of forest fuels. This aids in wildfire prevention, fire intensity reduction and also provides a foundation for safer, more effective fire suppression and protection operations. It has proven to be an effective and economical practice in protecting JB MDL forests and safeguarding community members. The principle reason for prescribed burning is wildfire hazard reduction, but there are numerous secondary benefits to prescribed burns. These benefits include: · Wildlife habitat management · Site preparation for reforestation projects · Forest disease and pest control · Nutrient recycling · Grassland management · Improved accessibility · Enhanced appearances The Joint Base Fire Emergency Services along with the Department of Natural Resources personnel will commence the prescribed burning plan starting in the next few weeks weather permitting. The burns will take place in various locations throughout the joint base with a total of approximately 2,500 acres being burned.