After Snowy Winter Delays Prevention, New Jersey Faces Rising Wildfire Risk
New Jersey is facing an increased risk of severe wildfires despite fewer acres burned than usual this season. A snowy winter delayed prescribed burns, which are critical for reducing combustible underbrush in areas like the Pine Barrens. With the wildfire season running through May, officials are concerned about the potential for larger, more dangerous fires.
- ▪New Jersey's wildfire season typically runs from March to May.
- ▪The snowy winter conditions delayed prescribed burns, limiting efforts to reduce flammable vegetation.
- ▪Fewer prescribed burns increase the risk of severe wildfires, even though fewer acres have burned so far.
- ▪A recent 14-alarm blaze in Belleville Township highlighted the state's ongoing wildfire threat.
- ▪The Pine Barrens, a fire-prone ecosystem, relies on controlled burns to maintain ecological balance and reduce wildfire risk.
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Science After Snowy Winter Delays Prevention, New Jersey Faces Rising Wildfire Risk With a wildfire season that runs from March to May, fewer acres have burned than usual. But with fewer prescribed burns to thin combustible underbrush, severe fire remains a possibility. By Anna MattsonMay 16, 2026 Share This Article Republish <img width="2500" height="1667" src="https://insideclimatenews.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/GettyImages-2273905545.jpg" class="attachment-full size-full wp-post-image" alt="Flames rise over Belleville Township, N.J, as firefighters battle a 14-alarm blaze on May 3.
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