New Jersey is facing Stage 3 burn bans due to extremely dry conditions. We explain what that means and provide essential tips to help prevent wildfires during this critical time.
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00:00New Jersey is now under a Stage 3 burn ban, banning all forms of open burning across the
00:05state. The reason? These dry conditions are causing a significant rise in fire risk.
00:12The nine out of ten wildfires are human caused here in New Jersey,
00:15and we don't take the restrictions lightly, which goes to show you how dry we really are right now.
00:20Open burning usually requires careful permitting and controlled conditions,
00:25but with the current dry spell, fire officials are emphasizing being in that Stage 3 restriction
00:31and are laying out what each stage means. Stage 1 campfire restrictions, basically it wants
00:39us to clear the soil and the brush around the campfires. Stage 2 is prohibiting wood fires,
00:47but you can still have fires on the ground. And Stage 3 is absolutely no wood burning,
00:53no charcoal and only liquid gas or electric. And that's only fires contained in elevated stoves.
01:02Again, campfires, picnic barbecues and charcoal fires are banned in parks until further notice.
01:08As most wildfires are caused by human activity, the Forest Fire Service is stressing vigilance.
01:14Be careful with your cigarette butts, equipment and machinery in the woods.
01:19Just be really safe out there in the woods. Think twice.
01:21With the agency at maximum staffing and contracting extra equipment,
01:25they're fully prepared to fight any fires that do ignite.
01:29But Warden Rainer reminds that public cooperation is critical.
01:33If we could get some really good rain, we'll definitely lower the restrictions. But
01:37at this point, it's just so dry that they're relative to the weather that we're in.