FOREST FIRES--GOOD OR BAD?

Positive Effects:

Fire allows pitch pine to remain the dominant tree species in much of New Jersey's Pinelands.

A fire's heat opens serotinous pine cones and allows their seeds to fall to the sandy forest floor.

After a fire, the sandy floor of the Pinelands forest serves as a perfect "potting" medium for the growth of future pine seedlings.

Many Pinelands plants, such as the Pine Barrens Gentian, thrive only in a disturbed or burned over area.

Fire stimulates the growth of tender new shoots on trees and shrubs, thus providing abundant browse for Pinelands forest animals like the White-tailed Deer.

Prescribed (controlled) burning reduces forest floor litter and lowers the risk of dangerous wildfires.

Negative Effects:

Severe wildfires destroy valuable timber resources and weaken trees leaving them susceptible to disease and insects.

Wild animals and their habitats are destroyed. Human life can be lost and private property destroyed.

Scenic beauty is marred often leaving a blackened landscape. Soil erosion occurs in a stream or river corridor if surrounding vegetation is killed and the root network of plants, trees, and shrubs no longer acts as a stabilizing force.

The recreational value of the forest is decreased.

Equipment and manpower costs of fighting a major forest fire are great.