This bill mandates the Department of Environmental Protection to implement annual prescribed burns in the pinelands area and across New Jersey, starting within one year of the bill's enactment. The legislation establishes a minimum acreage goal for these burns, beginning with 25,000 acres in the pinelands and 10,000 acres statewide in the first year, and increasing incrementally over six years to a target of 50,000 acres in the pinelands and 20,000 acres statewide. The prescribed burns can be conducted by the department, federal government, or approved landowners and lessees, and must occur between November and March to ensure safety and minimize smoke production.

Additionally, the bill requires that all relevant state agencies incorporate the prescribed burn goals into their environmental and land management plans. This collaborative approach aims to enhance public safety, control wildfires, and achieve various ecological and resource management objectives. The prescribed burns are a strategic tool for managing wildland fire fuels and promoting healthier ecosystems, with the timing set to avoid the peak wildfire season in New Jersey.