Department of Environmental Protection

New Jersey Forest Fire Service

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Air Quality

Visit the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection's Division of Air Quality - Air Monitoring website.

Smoke Management
Management of smoke from prescribed burning is a critical issue. It can affect air quality, highway traffic, and nearby properties, and is subject to Federal and State air pollution laws. Recent changes in the Federal Air Pollution Standards require reduced emissions of particular matter, as well as gaseous emissions. All adjacent smoke-sensitive areas must be identified in the burning plan. Wind direction and speed, and smoke dispersal are some of the atmospheric characteristics that should be considered before conducting a burn. Firing techniques also affect smoke emissions. Backfires produce considerably fewer emissions than other firing techniques does.