NJ Forest Fire Service Division A - Section 1

Reported at 7/15/2015 Meeting: The current Fire Danger is level is Class 1 - Low

Currently there are no agricultural or campfire restrictions in place.

Towers are currently unstaffed.

Division A 2015 totals for the year to date are:  220 Wildfire Responses; 127 All-Hazard Incident Responses; sent a Strike Team of engines and saw crews to Gloucester county to assist in an All-Hazard storm damage assignment.  The response lasted 5 days.

Sections A1 and A3 combined have issued over 450 recreational campfire and event permits so far this year.

The Forest Fire Service had a presence at many PR events over the past 2 months including:  New Jersey Tree Farm Day in Sandyston; Vernon Township Day; Stillwater Day and Hometown Heroes Night at Skylands Park.  Smokey Bear threw out the first pitch to open the Miners vs. Grays game.

Reported at 2/18/2015 Meeting: The current Fire Danger level is Class 1 - Low

Currently there are no agricultural or campfire restrictions in place.

Division wide all Sections are gearing up for the prescribed burning and the upcoming fire seasons.  All co-op agencies are encouraged to use the winter months to perform maintenance on their equipment, Spring will be here soon.

At this time there is no word on whether the Division will be getting any fixed wing aircraft for use during the Spring fire season.  The State is working on an agreement with the National Guard to possibly use their helicopters for support if needed.

Section A1 is working on our Outreach Program Schedule for 2015.  If any agency would like us to attend your function, please contact Chris Franek to make the arrangements.

Reported at 9/17/2014 Meeting: Fire Danger is Class 2 - Moderate.  A drying trend over the next several days may require that this level be re-evaluated.  The fire towers are not currently staffed.  There are currently no agricultural or campfire restrictions in place.

There have been 47 responses so far this year.  A total of 168 agricultural permits have been issued in 2014 and a total of 172 recreational campfire permits have been issued.  Recently, the Forest Fire Service responded to the Camp Sussex fire in Vernon Township.

To assist the fire suppression efforts in the western United States, the New Jersey Forest Fire Service has dispatched two Initial Attack Fire Crews, three Type 4 Engines with crews, a Strike Team Leader, Task Force Leader, Division Supervisors and a Safety Officer.

The Basic Wildland Firefighter Course S-130 and S-190 is full and will begin class on Saturday, September 20th.

Reported at 8/20/2014 Meeting: Fire Danger is Low.  No bans on agricultural or campfire permits.

There have been 2 wildfire incidents in Section A1 response area during the past month.

NJ has sent two 20-person hand crews out West to assist with firefighting efforts.  One crew was assigned to northern California and the other to Oregon.  Two Type 4 Engines and operators were also sent to Washington State.  Several single resource personnel have been assigned to fires out West this season.

Reported at 7/16/2014 Meeting: Fire Danger is Low.  Ag burning - no ban.  Recreational campfires - no bans, please direct permit requests to our office.

Section A1 year to date incidents:  44 ~~ 1 Medical Aid; 11 Wildland fires; 1 lightning fire; 8 smoke investigations; 1 agency assistance; 22 illegal open burns

Western Program:  We are posting a fire engine with crew of three; also 20 person crew, strike team and task force leaders.

Training:  Our Basic Wildland course starts 9/20 running 5 days starting that weekend 9/20, 9/21, 9/27, 9/28 and 10/5.  Call our office to sign up.

Still available for prevention events.  Contact christopher.franek@dep.nj.gov or call 973-786-6350 to request prevention trailer and Smokey. 

Speaking of Smokey....he turns 70 on August 9th!

Reported at 5/21/2014 Meeting:

 

The current fire danger level is Class 1 - Low.  The weather will be monitored over the next several days and this level may be elevated to Class 2 - Moderate.

Currently there are no agricultural or campfire restrictions in place.

There have been a total of 33 incidents in the Section A1 response area.  Nine of the responses have been Wildland fires while 24 have been illegal open burns.  The largest fire to date has been the Vernon fire, totaling 75 acres.  The total acres burned this year in Section A1 is 80 acres.

The Basic Wildland Firefighter Courses S-130 and S-190 will be offered in September.  Contact the Andover headquarters to sign up for these classes.

New Jersey anticipates sending four Type 4 Engines and one 20-person hand crew out West in late June or early July.

All District Wardens are out issuing campfire permits in their geographic areas.  If you know of any resident that wants a permit, contact the Andover office and they will make the arrangements.

With the upcoming holiday weekend, any company that responds to illegal open burns should have dispatch contact Forest Fire for a response.

Reported at 3/19/2014 Meeting: The current fire danger level is Class 1 - Low

Currently there are no campfire restrictions in place.

There were three open burning investigations during the month of February in the County.

The County Wildland Fire Plan is being drafted and should be completed shortly.

Annual refresher training is currently ongoing for all Co-Op agencies.

The annual District Firewarden's training was held on March 1st at the Budd Lake Firehouse.

At this time the Division is scheduled to receive one fixed wing turboprop aircraft at Aeroflex Airbase on March 29, 2014.  Actual timing of this resource will be weather dependent.

Division A sent a total of twelve (12) Type 6 Engines and crews to central and southern New Jersey to assist Division B and Division C with prescribed burning operations this past weekend.  Fuel reduction activities were completed on a total of 3,779 acres in those two days.

The 2014 Fire Season officially started on March 15th.

We encourage all local agencies to visit the State Forest Fire Service website www.njwildfire.org to stay current on fire weather and the burning index.

Reported at 8/21/2013 Meeting: The current fire danger level is Class 1 - Low

Currently there are no campfire restrictions in place.

All NJ crews assigned to out-of-state wildland firefighting duties have returned.  Apparatus assigned to out-of-state agencies are being returned and will be available for our Fall fire season.

Space is still available for the S-130/S-190 classes fore certification as a Wildland Firefighter. 

Members of the NJ Forest Fire Service will be present at the Champion of the Grill competition on Sept. 22nd at the Fairgrounds.  An information booth will be manned.

There will be an Open House of Division A of the NJ Forest Fire Service held on Oct. 12th from 9 a.m. - 1 p.m. at the Andover Headquarters.  The event is open to all police departments, fire departments, EMS units and the general public.  All members are encouraged to bring their families to see who we are and what we do.

Reported at 8/21/2013 Meeting: The current fire danger level is Class 1 - Low.

Currently there are no campfire restrictions in place.  District Wardens have been visiting local campgrounds and issuing them their seasonal campfire permits.  The Wardens have also been issuing recreational campfire permits to County residents.  Any member of the public wishing to obtain a recreational permit should call the Division A Headquarters in Andover and they will assign a Section or District Warden to them.

NJ Forest Fire personnel have conducted Smokey Bear programs at some of the local seasonal campgrounds.  These educational events introduce the younger generation to fire safety principals.

Currently there are two NJ crews assigned to Wildland firefighting duties in the State of Idaho.  Each crew consists of 20 firefighters.  Chris Franek, Section A1 Firewarden has been assigned as a single resource member of an engine strike team in Alaska.  In addition, NJ is sending Type 4 engines to California to supplements that state's firefighting apparatus fleet.

This Fall, Division A will offer the S-130/S-190 classes for certification as a Wildland Firefighter.  Any member interested in obtaining this certification and joining the ranks of the Forest Fire Service should call the Division Headquarters in Andover and place their name on the roster list.

Since we are in a period of low fire activity, now is the time for all cooperating agencies to check and rehab your gear and apparatus.  Contact Chris Franek if any questions or concerns arise about equipment and response tools.

Reported at 5/15/2013 Meeting: The current fire danger level is Class 1 - Low.  The long range forecast projects an upcoming extended dry period which will result in an elevated fire danger level.  All local departments should be aware of the potential for a rapid rise in the danger level and continue to notify of any wildland fire or illegal open burn in your jurisdictions.

Currently there are no camp fire restrictions in place.  District Wardens have been visiting local campgrounds and issuing them their seasonal campfire permits.  The Wardens have also been issuing recreational campfire permits to County residents.

This year the Spring fire season has been very active.  Between 4/15/13 and 5/15/13, NJ Forest Fire Resources responded to, and performed suppression activities on 16 wildland fires in Sussex County.  These fires ranged from 0.25 acre to 3.75 acres in size.  The largest fire in the County, at slightly over 10 acres, was at the beginning of April and occurred in Montague Township  Forest Fire personnel also addressed 8 permit violations and responded to 4 smoke investigations.

The fixed wing aircraft available to the Division logged a total of 9 hours of flight time in Section A1 and performed 10 water drops during suppression activities.  The use of this resource ended on 4/30/13.

NJ Forest Fire personnel manned an information booth at the recent NJ Military Transport Vehicle Show at the Sussex County fairgrounds.  A total of 3800 attendees made for a busy day and many contacts.  The Forest Fire Service landed a Huey helicopter at the fairgrounds.  The presence of this historic aircraft delighted both veterans and the younger generation.  Plans are already being made for a return at next year's event with the addition of a possible water drop or longline cargo demonstration.

NJ Forest Fire Personnel also manned a booth at Family Fest held at SCCC.  A total of 1200 attendees made for another busy event.  Smokey the Bear made a visit through the crowd and even assisted in the start of the fire department tug-of-war.

The S-130/190 Basic Wildland Firefighter course will be offered at the Division A Headquarters in Andover in late September.  Anyone interested in obtaining their certification can contact the Division office or Chris Franek; Section A1 Forest Firewarden for additional information.

Reported at 4/17/2013 Meeting: The current fire danger is Class 2 - Moderate

There are no camp fire restrictions in place.

Division A has one fixed wing aircraft (Alpha 3) available for suppression activities.  This resource will be available for response through the end of April.

Section A1 of the NJ Forest Fire Service had the following responses during the past month.

  • Illegal open burn in Hardyston Township

  • 1.00 acre fire, forest, in Vernon Township
  • 0.25 acre fire, forest, in Sandyston Township
  • 1.00 acre fire, grass/brush, in Vernon Township
  • Permit Violation, in Wantage Township
  • 0.25 acre fire, grass, in Wantage Township
  • 0.25 acre fire, forest, in Frankford Township
  • 1.00 acre fire, in Vernon Township
  • Illegal Open Burn, in Vernon Township
  • 0.25 acre fire, grass, in Lafayette Township
  • 1.5 acre fire, timber, trash, in Montague Township
  • 0.25 acre fire, grass, in Frankford Township
  • Smoke Investigation, in Stillwater Township
  • Illegal Open Burn, Vernon Township

Thank you to all of the agencies we have worked with during the past month.  Your efforts were instrumental in keeping these incidents small.

We encourage all local agencies to visit the State Forest Fire Service website (www.njwildfire.org) to stay current on fire weather and the burning index.

Any agency wishing to receive Section A1 Weekly Updates, Notices and important Alerts via email, please provide your contact information.

For questions or comments, please call the Division A Headquarters at 973-786-6350, contact Chris Franek: Section A1 Forest Firewarden at sectionwardena1@gmail.com or call him a 609-349-2490

 

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