Flanders pine barrens

Wildfire mitigation plans advanced by the pine barrens commission don't prioritize an area of preserved woodlands that firefighters say pose the most serious threat to life and property, drawing criticism from firefighters and residents at a community meeting last night in Flanders.

The forum, hosted by the state pine barrens commission, will discuss controversial plans aimed at reducing wildfire risk in Flanders-area pine barrens region.

Environmentalist Richard Amper says firefighters' access to woodlands is "fine" and worries about impacts of proposed clearing on the pine barrens ecology.

Fire access lane clearing will finally begin in the Flanders pine barrens this summer, thanks to the efforts of the new chief of the Pine Barrens Wild Fire Task Force.

The county and state should clear and maintain fire lanes on publicly owned preserved land in the pine barrens, Suffolk County Legislator Jay Schneiderman...