Wildfire prevention plan for Pinelands sparks resistance

15 December 2022

Published by: https://www.njspotlightnews.org

USA – The plan involves cutting 2.4 million small trees

The New Jersey Pinelands Commission approved a plan in October to cut 2.4 million small trees in order to prevent major wildfires in the Bass River State Forest. Called the Allen and Oswego Road Mitigation and Habitat Restoration Project, the plan has received mixed reactions.

New Jersey Pinelands Commissioner Mark Lohbauer is one two commissioners who voted against cutting down the trees. “In all my study of that question, does thinning a forest help reduce a wildfire and my answer is no. There’s been a lot of analysis … regarding wildfires out West — California, Oregon, Washington state. They found thinning a forest is not a helpful technique. In fact it makes a wildfire burn hotter and faster, so I don’t see it as a helpful technique at all,” Lohbauer said.

John Cecil, who is assistant commissioner of the State Parks, Forests and Historic Sites, says dense undergrowth of smaller trees can act as “ladder fuel,” carrying fire from the forest floor to the treetops where wind can intensify and rapidly spread flames.

The thinning is expected to take place between April 15 and Nov. 15, 2023.