As a child, you probably learned the old rhyme, “March winds and April showers bring forth May flowers,” and you may still repeat those lines every spring. We have certainly felt the March winds in Gloucester this year, and have had plenty of rain, too.
Unfortunately, March winds can also spread undesirable wildfires. The strong winds that occur during late winter and the first weeks of spring, coupled with dry grasses, leaves, and other vegetation contribute to the spread of wildfires. For that reason, Gloucester County and most other communities impose an open burning ban for several weeks every spring. In Gloucester, the ban on open burning within 300 feet of woodlands or dry grass before 4 p.m. runs from February 15 to April 30. You can burn debris from 4 p.m. to midnight if you attend the fire. See the Gloucester County webpage “Burn Ordinance” for details and FAQs.
Most of us abide by the ordinance and are careful with open fires throughout the year, but the fact is that despite ...