Prescribed burning to take place at JB MDL Published Nov. 12, 2010 By Joint Base Fire Department JOINT BASE MCGUIRE-DIX-LAKEHURST, N.J. -- Several times during fall and early spring, the skies over Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst will fill with smoke. While this often causes concern for our residents and employees, they should be informed that 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." For many years fire has been used as a tool to protect the lives and property of our residents living near the forestlands of the Joint Base. We do this by setting fires under exacting conditions to reduce the underbrush (the "fuel" for a fire), in areas that are prone to fire, or that may be located in a location where we feel we can defend against an oncoming wildfire. The use of fire in this way requires a level of skill and competence that we encourage 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 the prevention of wildfires, reduces the intensity of the fires, 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 the Joint Base wildlands and safeguarding the Joint Base and state's residents. While the principle reason for prescribed burning is wildfire hazard reduction, it also has numerous secondary benefits, including: · Wildlife habitat management · Site management for forestry activities · Ecological plant and animal management · Forest disease and pest control · Nutrient recycling · Grassland management · Improved accessibility · Enhanced appearances The 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 the fall and late winter months, weather permitting. The burns will take place in various locations throughout Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst with a total of approximately 4,800 acres being burned.