Residents in Lakewood and surrounding areas of Ocean County may notice the smell of smoke or a light haze in the air today, Sunday. The New Jersey Forest Fire Service is currently conducting active prescribed burns throughout the region, with specific operations centered at Shenandoah Park in Lakewood. Local authorities are aware of the situation and remind the public that there is no cause for alarm, requesting that residents refrain from calling 911 to report smoke from these controlled areas.

“Controlled burns” are an essential tool used by forestry experts to protect both the community and the environment. The primary objective is wildfire prevention; by intentionally burning away accumulated dead leaves, fallen branches, and thick undergrowth now, the Forest Fire Service removes the “hazardous fuel” that would otherwise feed intense, uncontrollable wildfires during the dry summer months.

Beyond safety, the burns are vital for the health of New Jersey’s ecosystems. Many native species in the Pine Barrens actually depend on fire to recycle nutrients into the soil and clear out invasive plants. These operations also create safer conditions for firefighters by thinning out dense vegetation, ensuring that if a natural wildfire does occur later in the year, it remains smaller and easier to manage. Furthermore, the heat from these controlled fires helps reduce local populations of ticks and other pests.