Senators Parker Space and Latham Tiver are urging the New Jersey Senate Environment and Energy Committee to hold a hearing with both state and local officials to examine forest management practices, particularly in the context of wildfire prevention. Their renewed call follows the senators’ formal request made in February for a comprehensive review of the strategies related to forest management and wildfire prevention.
The ongoing wildfires in New Jersey, exacerbated by unusually high winds and dry conditions, have led to significant evacuations and emergency responses. Senator Parker Space expressed concern: “Our hearts go out to the thousands of residents forced to evacuate impacted areas and our brave fire servicemembers fighting the fire in Ocean County. The string of devastating fires underscores our immediate need to hear from state and local officials so we can reassess and strengthen our forest management strategies and readiness.”
The recent outbreak in the Greenwood Forest Wildlife Management area in Ocean County affected 11,500 acres and required thousands of residents to evacuate under an emergency declaration. Earlier, a fire in Cumberland County burned over 1,300 acres in the Peaslee Wildlife Management area.
While the Senate Environment and Energy Committee met to discuss food waste, Senator Latham Tiver emphasized the urgency of addressing the wildfire issue: “While having discussions about food waste is important, we cannot afford to delay action on an issue that is quite literally burning before our eyes.”
Senator Tiver stressed the necessity of involving New Jersey’s Forest Fire Service and woodland fire companies in the conversation: “We need to hear from New Jersey’s Forest Fire Service and woodland fire companies so we can help provide the necessary support to better manage our forests before wildfires turn into full-scale disasters. It’s time for the Legislature, the Governor, and the DEP to step up and confront this escalating threat head-on.”
