Most wildfires can be avoided by adhering to common sense safety tips.
It is Wildfire Season in New Jersey. Here are some helpful tops to prevent wildfires in our community.
NJ Wildfire SMART: In recognition of New Jersey’s growing wildfire threats, the Murphy Administration has launched NJ Wildfire SMART (Safety, Mitigation, Awareness, Resources, Training), a series of actions that emphasize steps and information resources for reducing wildfire risk and spread.
Wildfire Prevention Tips
Most wildfires can be avoided by adhering to commonsense safety tips:
Don’t discard cigarettes, matches or smoking materials on the ground.
Use indoor wood stoves and fireplaces carefully – both can emit embers that spark fires. Fully douse ashes with water before disposal.
When towing a trailer, ensure chains are not dragged on the road, which can create sparks that fly into nearby vegetation, igniting a wildfire.
Be mindful of where you park or drive your vehicle. Hot exhaust systems can ignite dry vegetation if parked or driven over.
Be careful when cutting grass or using yard tools. Power tools like lawnmowers and chainsaws can throw off sparks that ignite dry grass or leaves.
Keep matches and lighters away from children and teach youth about fire safety. Children can learn about wildfire safety with Smokey Bear’s mobile game Smokey’s Scouts.
