Wildfire Danger Levels, Permits, and Restrictions

The New Jersey Forest Fire Service uses two indices to measure and monitor the dryness of forest fuels and the possibility of fire ignitions becoming wildfires. These indices are the National Fire Danger Rating System's "Buildup Index" and the "Keetch-Byram Drought Index." Both indices are used for fire preparedness planning, which includes the following initiatives: campfire and burning restrictions, fire patrol assignments, staffing of fire lookout towers and readiness status for both observation and firefighting aircraft.

Current Fire Danger and Rating Indices

As of May 21, 2012	Fire Danger	Buildup Index	Keetch-Byram Drought Index	Campfire Restrictions	Agricultural Open Burning Allowed
Northern, NJ	Low	17	93	None	Yes
Central, NJ	Low	26	101	None	Yes
Southern, NJ	Low	22	184	None	Yes

2012 Fire Statistics
Reporting Period	Fires	Acres Burned
January 1, 2012 to May 20, 2012	778	2,588
Comparison to 2011	331	274.25

Division A-Northern NJ
Serving Counties: Bergen, Essex, Hudson, Morris,
Passaic, Somerset, Sussex, Warren, Hopewell Township
in Mercer County, Union, Hunterdon,
Middlesex (north of Raritan River)

Division B-Central NJ
Serving Counties: Burlington, Monmouth, Ocean,
Middlesex (south of the Raritan River),
Mercer County except Hopewell Township

Division C-Southern NJ
Serving Counties: Atlantic, Camden, Cape May,
Cumberland, Gloucester and Salem

Fire Danger Rating System

Low	Fires will not spread beyond heat of camp fire or brush fire.
Moderate	Fires will start from open flame, camp or brush fire. Spreads slowly.
High	Fires will start from a lighted match and spread rapidly in dry grass, slower with moisture. Will continue to spread until extinguished.
Very High	Fires will start readily from match or glowing embers, and spreads rapidly as it increases in size. May crown young conifers.
Extreme	Fires start readily from sparks or cigarette butts, spread and crown rapidly. Spot fires common. All burn fiercely and may blow up unless controlled promptly.

Fire Restriction Rating System

Stage # 1	Fires directly on the ground will be prohibited unless in a prepared fire ring. Fires on mineral soil which will not endanger the forest, such as in a gravel pit, may be permitted at the discretion of the Forest Firewarden issuing the permit. A prepared fire ring must be constructed of steel, stone, brick, or concrete with a gravel or masonry base.
Stage # 2	All fires in wooded areas will be prohibited unless in an elevated prepared fireplace, elevated charcoal grill or stove using electricity or a liquid or gas fuel. An elevated prepared fireplace must be constructed of steel, stone, brick or concrete with its fire box elevated at least one foot above the ground surface and surrounded by at least a ten feet radius clearance to mineral soil.
Stage # 3	All fires in wooded areas will be prohibited unless contained in an elevated stove using only propane, natural gas, gas, or electricity. No charcoal fires are allowed.

NJ Fire Danger Monitoring Console-North

NJ Fire Danger Monitoring Console-South