The forest fire season starts on Saturday. These controlled fires will reduce underbrush, so if and when forest fires start there is less to burn.
Prescribed fires were also set in the Stafford Forge Wildlife Refuge in Ocean County.
This area is adjacent to last year's devastating fire that scorched 18-thousand acres and damaged or destroyed several homes. That blaze was the result of flares fired over the Warren Grove Gunnery Range.
Spring is always a problem time in the Pine Barrens with weather conditions creating a recipe for fires.
Weather permitting, Forest Fire Service members around the state are working to clear out as much brush as possible in hopes that the upcoming season is not a destructive one.
