Author: Derek Yang
Editors: Ian Cho, Justin Tai
Artist: Felicia Chen
The New Jersey Pine Barrens is a big chunk of land covering more than a million acres. It supports a rare ecosystem for the North American continent, characterized by sandy soils, pitch pine trees, and a wide range of flora and fauna. It is also highly prone to wildfires, fueled by resin-producing vegetation and arid conditions, ultimately destroying ecologies and communities. Yet, one of the oldest methods of forest management techniques called controlled burning could help minimize this risk. Controlled burning, otherwise known as prescribed fires, has been a long-standing practice that involves setting planned fires to maintain the health of a forest.
Fire has been a long-acting influence in the Pine Barrens. Many of its species are fire-adapted, such as the pitch pine (Pinus rigida), which has thick, fire-resistant bark and cones that open only when exposed to heat. Human intervention, however, has interfered with many natural wildfires and indigenous fire management practices that once maintained ecological balance by cleaning out the built-up plant material and encouraging biodiversity.
However, most of the fire suppression policies of modern times have allowed underbrush and combustible material to build up, such as dry-pine needles, fallen branches, and thick layers of leaf litter, resulting in larger and uncontrollable wildfires. For example, a 2007 wildfire in Warren Grove burned over 17,000 acres and threatened nearby towns. Similarly, the 2019 Spring Hill wildfire scorched over 11,000 acres, disrupting local wildlife and forcing evacuations. Incidents such as this call for active fire management strategies.
In terms of both ecology and safety, controlled burns do a great amount of good in the Pine Barrens. They remove thick underbrush, creating open areas where sunlight fosters the growth of native grasses and wildflowers on the forest floor. They also prevent invasive species, such as Japanese barberry (Berberis thunbergii), from taking over native plants. Additionally, controlled burns recycle nutrients back into the soil for increased biodiversity and reduce pest infestations by clearing out dead leaves and vegetation. With the intensifying effects of climate change, temperatures are increasing and vegetation is drying out, which is why it is imperative to implement controlled burning so that we can prevent the risk of catastrophic wildfires that are uncontrollable.
However, this fire management strategy is far from problem-free. Optimum weather is required; too much wind or rain can make a burn ineffective or dangerously unreliable. Additionally, smoke from prescribed fires can deteriorate air quality and affect nearby communities by causing local residents to inhale toxic fumes and possibly develop lung-related illnesses, requiring careful planning and communication. Another major concern is that the fires could directly harm wildlife and destroy their habitats. While most species are already fire-adapted, some still are not, and may be easily displaced or harmed in the process.
Prescribed burning can help preserve the ecological health and stability of New Jersey's Pine Barrens while protecting its communities. Recognizing the area’s natural fire history and implementing this treatment offers a sustainable solution to one of its most pressing environmental challenges.
Citations:
“DEP FOREST FIRE SERVICE RAMPS UP ANNUAL PRESCRIBED BURNING PROGRAM,
UNVEILS NEW JERSEY WILDFIRE RISK ASSESSMENT PORTAL.” Dep.Nj.Gov,
Department of Environmental Protection, 27 Feb. 2024,
“Fire in the Pines - Protecting the New Jersey Pinelands and Pine Barrens: Pinelands
Preservation Alliance.” Protecting the New Jersey Pinelands and Pine Barrens, Pinelands
Preservation Alliance, 13 June 2019, pinelandsalliance.org/learn-about-the-
pinelands/ecosystem/fire/.
Staff, AMC. “Fire in the Forest: The Science and History of Prescribed Burns in the New
Jersey Pine Barrens.” Appalachian Mountain Club (AMC), 6 Nov. 2024,
www.outdoors.org/resources/amc-outdoors/conservation-and-climate/fire-in-the-
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