Statewide burn bans in effect: Understanding restrictions and how to prevent wildfires

AccuWeather

New Jersey is facing Stage 3 burn bans due to extremely dry conditions. We explain what that means and provide essential tips to help prevent wildfires during this critical time.

Transcript

00:00New Jersey is now under a Stage 3 burn ban, banning all forms of open burning across the

00:05state. The reason? These dry conditions are causing a significant rise in fire risk.

00:12The nine out of ten wildfires are human caused here in New Jersey,

00:15and we don't take the restrictions lightly, which goes to show you how dry we really are right now.

00:20Open burning usually requires careful permitting and controlled conditions,

00:25but with the current dry spell, fire officials are emphasizing being in that Stage 3 restriction

00:31and are laying out what each stage means. Stage 1 campfire restrictions, basically it wants

00:39us to clear the soil and the brush around the campfires. Stage 2 is prohibiting wood fires,

00:47but you can still have fires on the ground. And Stage 3 is absolutely no wood burning,

00:53no charcoal and only liquid gas or electric. And that's only fires contained in elevated stoves.

01:02Again, campfires, picnic barbecues and charcoal fires are banned in parks until further notice.

01:08As most wildfires are caused by human activity, the Forest Fire Service is stressing vigilance.

01:14Be careful with your cigarette butts, equipment and machinery in the woods.

01:19Just be really safe out there in the woods. Think twice.

01:21With the agency at maximum staffing and contracting extra equipment,

01:25they're fully prepared to fight any fires that do ignite.

01:29But Warden Rainer reminds that public cooperation is critical.

01:33If we could get some really good rain, we'll definitely lower the restrictions. But

01:37at this point, it's just so dry that they're relative to the weather that we're in.

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