As many Hopewell residents dress up themselves, their homes and dining tables for Diwali, the festival of lights, they may already be weighing eco-friendly alternatives to traditional fireworks. This year, statewide fire restrictions add another reason to skip them.
Hopewell Township’s current D2 drought has led to related fire restrictions. In fact, due to the continued severe dry conditions, the New Jersey Forest Fire Service has implemented Stage 3 burn restrictions to prevent an environment that supports rapid spread of any ignited fires, making them difficult to control. Specifically, that means the following:
•All fires are prohibited unless contained in an elevated stove using only propane, natural gas, gas, or electricity. The State of New Jersey Division of Fire Safety has also issued a directive to all New Jersey Fire Prevention Bureaus to NOT issue permits for the discharging of fireworks.
•No wood or charcoal fires are allowed, and the use of kerosene or gas torches of any kind is prohibited while this level of restriction is in place.
•No firework celebrations are allowed.
•The fire ban is in place on all public lands and private properties in all municipalities throughout the state.
Additionally, Hopewell Township Fire Marshal Andrew Fosina, Jr., has issued a reminder to residents that the possession and discharging of fireworks purchased outside of New Jersey is illegal and prohibited by state law. “As we approach the celebration of Diwali, we strongly discourage the use of fireworks to ensure everyone’s safety,” Fosina says.
For more updates from the DEP on fire prevention during prolonged dry conditions, visit https://www.nj.gov/dep/parksandforests/fire/infotools/conditions-restrictions.html?utm_medium=email&utm_source=govdelivery
