Event History

Wildfire of 2025

Highland dirt road

The major forest fire in 2025 within the New Jersey pine barrens burnt a lot or Greenwood Forest Wildlife Management Area and Forked River Mountain Preserve. Although some of it is beginning to grow back, this event made many people very unhappy at the subpar person that caused this all to happen. Even though firelanes can help prevent it from spreading, its not always perfect.

Scrub bushes begin to grow and cover the ground High elevation trail

When you have a camp fire:

    1. You will be careful.

    2. You will be cautious.

    3. You will orderly.

    4. You will be courteous to residents.

    5. You will do all of these demands.

It can end very badly for those who let wildfires happen.

Drought of 2024

Throughout later part of summer and the majority of fall of 2024, the drought has caused not only forest fires but also causing some of the swamps to dry up. Many of the swamps in Franklin Parker Preserve get its water through canals from other sources. When those sources can't provide water, the swamp will dry up completely. Like in the photos, you can even see the canals inside the swamps. It is a channel system that helps keep the swamp full of water but a drought can override all of that.

Swamp almost empty
Swamp almost empty
Skeleton forest during drought
Skeleton forest during drought
Irrigation channel system -- swamp floor
Irrigation channel system -- swamp floor
Swamp remains -- miniature river
Swamp remains -- miniature river
Drought affects on the swamp
Drought affects on the swamp
Grass island after drought
Grass island after drought
Little water left from droughtLowest point holds the little water left Irrigation canal system after droughtIrrigation canal system after drought