Prescribed Burn at Supawna Meadows National Wildlife Refuge

On March 25, Fire Personnel from USFWS and New Jersey DEP Forest Fire Service conducted a prescribed burn at the Refuge to control invasive species and to reduce hazardous fire fuel. USFWS has been using prescribed fires since the 1930’s to enhance and maintain wildlife habitat.

These burns are carefully developed by experienced fire managers and ecologists who work together to create a predictable fire that will produce the desired results. Included in the protocol are details such as weather parameters, smoke management, public notification, specialized protection equipment, and the desired goal.

This burn took place along the Grassland Trail to reduce the dead dry vegetation formed over the winter and to inhibit the growth of invasive species such as Phragmites, Mile a Minute and Multi flora roses and to encourage native vegetation growth.