Despite man's constant battle to thwart forest fires, the pinelands depends on occasional burning to maintain its ecological system.
Fire is an essential part of maintaining the pinelands.
Before the state Forest Fire Service existed, wildfires would burn uncontrollably through thestate's expansive pinelands and the presence of fire became part of forest's evolution. In the absence of fire, the Pine Barrens would go from pine to predominantly oaks. The pine cones from pitch pine trees, commonly found throughout the Pine Barrens, actually require fire to open the cones and release seeds. Whenever fire occurs, it benefits some species and hurts other species. Pine trees also benefit from fires because it clears out the dead leaves and underbrush that cover the forest floor of the pinelands.