The Prescribed Burn at John Clyde Memorial Native Grasslands Preserve will take place on Wednesday, March 20, 2024.

The John Clyde Memorial Native Grasslands Preserve will be closed to the public on Wednesday, March 20, 2024.

What is a Prescribed Burn?

Franklin Township, in coordination with the New Jersey Forest Fire Service (NJFFS), has initiated a Prescribed Burn Plan for approximately 88 acres of the John Clyde Memorial Native Grasslands Preserve (1091 Canal Road, Princeton) and 67 acres of the Negri-Nepote Native Grasslands Preserve (260 Skillmans Lane, Somerset).

In 2018, Governor Phil Murphy signed The Prescribed Burn Act, which expanded acceptable uses of prescribed fire from reducing traditional hazard fuels to recognizing the benefits of habitat management as well as other forestry and ecological needs. This legislation also created a framework for local governments to work directly with the NJFFS to plan for, strategically burn, monitor, and extinguish controlled fire in a safe environment.

In 2019, Franklin Township, in consultation with the New Jersey Audubon Society, completed an update to the Grasslands Management Plan for Negri-Nepote Grasslands Preserve and the John Clyde Memorial Native Grasslands Preserve. This Plan identified the importance of Prescribed Burning for these properties, with the benefits being:

• Reduction of invasive plant species
• Cycling of nutrients into the soil
• Advancement of native seed germination
• Reduction of hazardous fuel loads, which prevents unplanned and dangerous wildfires
• Reduction in tick and insect pest populations
• Increased nesting and bird habitat at the burned sites in the following seasons
• Cost-efficient method of managing grasslands for continued success

When Will the Prescribed Burn at the Grasslands Occur?

Prescribed Burns in Franklin Township will occur at the John Clyde Memorial Native Grasslands and Negri-Nepote Grasslands Preserve between January 1, 2024 and April 30, 2024. The Section Warden will determine when the conditions fall within safe range (wind speed, wind direction, temperature, and humidity). When these conditions are met, the Section Warden will notify the appropriate Franklin Township Staff and emergency response officials of the anticipated burning.

John Clyde Memorial Native Grasslands Preserve and Negri-Nepote Native Grasslands Preserve will be CLOSED TO THE PUBLIC AND PERMITTED HUNTERS during the Prescribed Burn.

Notice will be posted on our website, on signage posted at the entrance of the property, and sent via Nixle alerts to those registered to receive them from Franklin Township.

How Does a Prescribed Burn Work?

The controlled fire of the Prescribed Burn will be planned, ignited, monitored, and managed by the NJFFS officials who have undergone extensive training and are very experienced in conducting safe and effective Prescribed Burns. All appropriate safety measures and precautions will be taken by those performing the burn, including the development of a contingency plan. While the Prescribed Burn is in progress and until the Section Warden has deemed it safe, law enforcement and fire personnel will be stationed at the John Clyde Memorial Native Grasslands Preserve and Negri-Nepote Native Grasslands Preserve, and the surrounding area. Following the extinguishing of the Prescribed Burn, NJFFS will assess the area, remove debris and equipment related to the Burn, and provide the Township with a report of accomplishments from the Burn.

Please check back on the Township’s website to see updates on the Prescribed Burns, and to sign up for Nixle alerts (https://www.franklintwpnj.org/subscribe)  for this and other important Township news and events.

Additional Resources

Prescribed Burn - New Jersey Forest Fire Service:
https://www.nj.gov/dep/parksandforests/fire/program/aboutrxb.html

Prescribed Burn – United States Department of Agriculture’s Forest Service:
https://www.fs.usda.gov/managing-land/prescribed-fire 

Prescribed Fire – Smokey the Bear:
https://smokeybear.com/en/about-wildland-fire/benefits-of-fire/prescribed-fires

New Jersey Prescribed Burn Act (C.13:9-44.11 through C.13:9-44.17):
https://www.nj.gov/dep/parksandforests/fire/docs/107_Prescribed-Burn-Act.pdf

Weed Control Methods Handbook: Tools and Techniques for Use in Natural Areas (see Chapter 3). The Nature Conservancy – Wildland Invasive Species Team. April 2001.
https://www.invasive.org/gist/products/handbook/methods-handbook.pdf