The New Jersey Forest Fire Service will conduct a prescribed burn on the large field owned by D&R Greenway along Hopewell-Wertsville Road in Hopewell scheduled for March 10.
D&R Greenway Land Trust will be working with the New Jersey Forest Fire Service to conduct a prescribed burn on a field of the Betty Wold Johnson Hillside Farm Preserve. This land management technique is often used by conservation organizations throughout New Jersey to manage problematic invasive plant species, encourage native plant growth, reduce fire fuel load, reduce thatch from years of mowing. We look forward to planting a wildflower meadow in the future.
Prescribed burn is a controlled application of fire by a team of experts to enhance desired plant communities and wildlife habitat and to reduce the risk of future wildfires. Every year, the New Jersey Forest Fire Service conducts prescribed burns while protecting life, property, and the state’s natural resources.
This will serve as notification of a prescribed burn that will take place on the large field across from No. 111 through No. 127 Hopewell-Wertsville Road, part of the Betty Wold Johnson Hillside Farm Preserve owned and managed by D&R Greenway Land Trust.
The burn will last for one day. The date of the burn will be determined by the New Jersey Forest Fire Service based on forecasted weather conditions, which must fall within a standard safe range. Signs will be posted along Hopewell-Wertsville Road on the day of the burn. D&R Greenway will update website and social media pages with this information. The preserve remains closed to the public.
Fire has played an important part in shaping local plant and animal communities for thousands of years. Native Americans frequently utilized prescribed burns to reduce pests, increase grasses for game forage, and increase production of edible berry shrubs.
The New Jersey Forest Fire Service is trained in controlling fires to reduce smoke. However, nearby landowners are advised to keep their windows closed. After the burn, smoldering is normal to see, but flames increasing in size are not. If you see flames after the burn, please contact New Jersey Forest Fire Service at (609) 292-2977.
Please email Tina Notas, Director of Land Stewardship, at tnotas@drgreenway.org should you have any questions.
Contact D&R Greenway for information and check the website for updates at https://drgreenway.org/
