Wildfire Danger Levels and Restrictions

As of June 29, 2009	Fire Danger	Campfire Restrictions
Northern, NJ	Low	None
Central, NJ	Low	None
Southern, NJ	Low	None

 

 

 

2009 Fire Statistics
Reporting Period	Fires	Acres Burned
January 1, 2009 to June 28, 2009	598	1,047.50
Comparison to 2008	800	1,001.50

Division A-Northern NJ
Serving Counties: Bergen, Essex, Hudson, Morris,
Passaic, Somerset, Sussex, Warren, Hopewell Township
in Mercer County, Union, Hunterdon,
Middlesex (north of Raritan River)

Division B-Central NJ
Serving Counties: Burlington, Monmouth, Ocean,
Middlesex (south of the Raritan River),
Mercer County except Hopewell Township

Division C-Southern NJ
Serving Counties: Atlantic, Camden, Cape May,
Cumberland, Gloucester and Salem

Fire Danger Rating System

Low	Fires will not spread beyond heat of camp fire or brush fire.
Moderate	Fires will start from open flame, camp or brush fire. Spreads slowly.
High	Fires will start from a lighted match and spread rapidly in dry grass, slower with moisture. Will continue to spread until extinguished.
Very High	Fires will start readily from match or glowing embers, and spreads rapidly as it increases in size. May crown young conifers.
Extreme	Fires start readily from sparks or cigarette butts, spread and crown rapidly. Spot fires common. All burn fiercely and may blow up unless controlled promptly.

Fire Restriction Rating System

Stage # 1	Fires directly on the ground will be prohibited unless in a prepared fire ring. Fires on mineral soil which will not endanger the forest, such as in a gravel pit, may be permitted at the discretion of the Forest Firewarden issuing the permit. A prepared fire ring must be constructed of steel, stone, brick, or concrete with a gravel or masonry base.
Stage # 2	All fires in wooded areas will be prohibited unless in an elevated prepared fireplace, elevated charcoal grill or stove using electricity or a liquid or gas fuel. An elevated prepared fireplace must be constructed of steel, stone, brick or concrete with its fire box elevated at least one foot above the ground surface and surrounded by at least a ten feet radius clearance to mineral soil.
Stage # 3	All fires in wooded areas will be prohibited unless contained in an elevated stove using only propane, natural gas, gas, or electricity. No charcoal fires are allowed.