Hillsborough Vo-Tech Students Spark Initiative To Stop Spread Of Wildfires

HILLSBOROUGH, NJ — After a wildfire sparked close to home, a group of students from Hillsborough who attend Somerset County Vocational and Technical High School is now working to help to spread awareness on wildfire prevention.

"One of our friends, Jashith Gorrepati, had a wildfire occur near his home and community," said of the student members Krishay Patel to Patch.

He added, "That made us realize that wildfires are not just a distant issue that happens in places like California. They are a real and local problem in New Jersey, and they can affect communities close to us."

Patel, Guru Puduru, and Arjun Buch then came together to launch the student-led FBLA project in September. The project is being completed with NexGen STEM and is focused on wildfire education, preparedness, prevention and restoration in New Jersey.

The team developed educational programs explaining the causes of fires, the purpose of firebreaks and how fire-retardant materials work.

The group also distributed fire safety kits with N95 masks, first aid supplies and wildfire preparedness information.

Patel said the team has distributed more than 1,000 wildfire safety kits, along with flyers and educational materials, at school events and community events.

The students also shared materials with more than a dozen libraries.

At school, Patel said, the group set up an educational table and spoke with students, teachers and administrators about wildfire safety and prevention.

Another part of the project is njwildfirewatch.org, which offers daily wildfire information for New Jersey. He wrote that residents can check county-level wildfire information, burn restrictions, air quality, weather alerts, and active conditions on the site.

"The website is AI-powered and was created to help inform the community in a way that is simple, fast, and easy to access," said Patel.

According to the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection figures, New Jersey averages about 1,100 wildfires each year, burning about 5,000 acres of forest.

New Jersey wildfire education materials state that about 99 percent of the state’s wildfires are caused by people.

"For me personally, being part of this project feels meaningful because it is a way to make an impact that is bigger than just myself," said Patel. "Wildfire safety may seem like a simple topic, but spreading the right information can help protect people, homes, and the environment. I feel proud to be part of something where the effort we put in can make a real difference for others."

More information is available at nexgenstem.org and njwildfirewatch.org.

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