New Jersey fire departments have warned of an increased risk of mulch fires due to unusually warm spring weather. The Fair Haven Fire Department has reported numerous incidents, with some occurring dangerously close to decks and walls. The department expects these instances to increase with longer days, lower humidity, and gusty winds. To prevent these fires, fire officials recommend maintaining a clear gap between mulch and buildings, particularly under New Jersey’s Uniform Fire Code, which requires most buildings to maintain an 18-inch space between mulched areas and combustible materials. The choice of the mulch used also matters, with chunky, fire-resistant varieties recommended over shivering ones.