The U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service wishes to inform the community that we plan on implementing in the coming weeks at Wallkill River National Wildlife Refuge in Vernon Township, NJ. The planned sites, approximately 500 acres, include several tracts of grasslands, shrubs, and woodlands in and around the Refuge Headquarters and Dagmar-Dale Nature Trail. The planned sites also includes grasslands and woodlands between Lake Wallkill Road and Timberdoodle Trail, from Owens station road to Kelly Road and the Hidden Ponds area between Lake Wallkill Road and Timberdoodle Trail.
The actual dates will depend on favorable weather and atmospheric conditions – including relative humidity, fuel moisture, and wind speed and direction to achieve the desired objectives and for the smoke to rise and disperse - as well as the availability of firefighters. Each is expected to be completed within one day with active burning over several hours. Trails and facilities may be temporarily closed while burning is underway.