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Joint Base emergency responders halt blaze

A Chesterfield firefighter connects a fire hose to a fire truck near training ranges 13 and 14 on Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst April 9. More than 10 townships from around the joint base aided the effort to extinguish the fire that burned more than 300 acres of training ranges. (U.S. Air Force photo by Russ Meseroll/Released)

Joint Base emergency responders halt blaze

Trees on Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst smolder after being extinguished April 9. A fire-ditch was dug to halt the movement of the blaze to prevent further damage. The fire started in training ranges 13 and 14 and burned more than 300 acres of land. (U.S. Air Force photo by Russ Meseroll/Released)

Joint Base emergency responders halt blaze

From left: Assistant Chief Martin Galler, Assistant Chief of Fire Prevention Mr. Robert Lemanksi, Captain Todd Harris, and Fire Chief Thomas Nicometi discuss their plan to extinguish the range fire April 9. The cause of the fire is currently under investigation. (U.S. Air Force photo by Russ Meseroll/Released)

JB MDL winter prescribed burns

Published Jan. 6, 2015
By Joint Base Fire Prevention Office

JOINT BASE MCGUIRE-DIX-LAKEHURST, N.J. -- Several times during this winter, the skies over Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, New Jersey, 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."

A prescribed burn is defined as 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. This is done 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 our firefighters have gained through extensive and 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 surrounding communities. 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

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 winter months, weather permitting. The burns will take place in various locations throughout the joint base with a total of approximately 4,000 acres being burned.

Please contact the Joint Base Fire Prevention Office at (609) 754-2415 if you have any further questions.