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Prescribed burn set to take place on JB MDL

  • Published
  • By Robert Lemanski
  • Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst Fire Emergency Service
JOINT BASE MCGUIRE-DIX-LAKEHURST, N.J. --  Prescribed burn set to take place on JB MDLThe skies over Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst will fill with smoke several times during fall and early spring. This can cause concern for local residents and employees, but the Joint Base Fire Emergency Service and Natural Resource personnel are merely conducting a prescribed burn.

What is a prescribed burn? Technically, 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.

Fire has been used for many years as a tool to protect the lives and property of the residents living near the forestlands of the joint base. This is done by setting fires under exact conditions to reduce the underbrush (the "fuel" for a fire), in areas which are prone to fire or may be located where an oncoming wildfire can best be defended.

The primary purpose of prescribed burning on JB MDL is to reduce the hazardous accumulations of forest fuels. This aids in the prevention of wildfires, reduces the intensity of the fires, and also provides a foundation for safer, more effective fire suppression and protection operations.

The practice has proven to be an effective and economical when protecting the joint base wildlands and safeguarding the joint base and surrounding communities. While the principle reason for prescribed burning is wildfire hazard reduction, it also has numerous secondary benefits, including:

· Wildlife habitat management
· Site preparation for reforestation projects
· Forest disease and pest control
· Nutrient recycling
· Grassland management
· Improved accessibility
· Enhanced appearances

Joint Base Fire Emergency Services along with the Natural Resources personnel will commence the prescribed burning plan starting in the next few weeks and will continue through March. Weather permitting. The burns will take place in various locations throughout the joint base with a total of approximately 2,500 acres being burned.