Controlled Burn at Great Swamp Set for Tomorrow (Thursday)

Published on April 01, 2017

BURNS SCHEDULED FOR APRIL 13, WEATHER PERMITTING

EFFORT SHOULD BENEFIT WILDLIFE AND VISITORS

(, 0B)The U. S. Fish & Wildlife Service will conduct a controlled burn tomorrow, Thursday, April 13, on wetlands in the Great Swamp National Wildlife Refuge, which is located in southern Morris County and a portion of neighboring Somerset County.

Active burning will take place throughout the day and possibly into the evening. As usual, the burn is dependent on weather conditions, favorable winds for smoke to rise and disperse.

The refuge, Visitor Center, and Wildlife Observation Center will remain open to the public. However, Pleasant Plains Road and associated parking areas will be closed from just south of the Visitor Center parking lot to the South Gate of the refuge.

The use of prescribed fire to restore habitat is part of the refuge's Comprehensive Conservation Plan, which was finalized November of 2014.

The Wildlife Refuge was established in 1960, in part, to provide habitat for migrating ducks and geese (waterfowl), and for the conservation of the nation's wetlands.

Five artificial wetlands, also called impoundments, were constructed in the early 1970s and 1980s to provide migrating, nesting, brood-rearing, and feeding habitat for waterfowl. Over the past decade, woody vegetation has invaded three impoundments and standing dead vegetation has formed thick mats, reducing the amount of open water available for waterfowl.

(, 0B) A controlled burn being done by the Fish & Wildlife Service

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service regularly conducts prescribed burns on refuge lands to maintain and restore habitat for wildlife. The goal of these prescribed burns is to increase the amount of open water available to waterfowl by reducing the amount of standing dead vegetation and invading woody vegetation in three of the impoundments.

Once restored, these impoundments will provide better feeding, nesting, brood rearing, and resting habitat for all waterbird species that use the refuge. In addition to improved habitat, visitors to the refuge also benefit from prescribed burns because fire promotes native species and habitats, thus increasing wildlife observation opportunities.

(, 0B) Great Swamp

During the burn, existing refuge roads and mowed fire lines around the burn units will be used to contain the fire within the burn units. Trained fire personnel with specialized equipment will ignite, monitor, and control the fire and its resulting smoke. In addition, water will be released back into the impoundments upon completion of the burns.

Local emergency personnel, including the local police and fire departments, have been notified.

You can read more about the controlled burn or call 973-425-1222 Ext. 157.