One If By Land; Two If By Sea…

Summer may be just around the corner, but it’s not a great time to think about living at or heading to the Jersey shore. For one thing, a terrible fire over the last few days has destroyed much of the Pine Barrens, a protected wetlands by the ocean, threatening homes and necessitating the evacuation of hundreds. The fire was started by a flare shot from an Air National Guard plane during a training routine. Last year, an Air National Guard pilot accidentally strafed an empty New Jersey school, also during a training routine. Time for some new routines. Meanwhile, unexploded munitions dating back to World War II were discovered earlier this month at another Jersey beach during a replenishment project conducted by the Army Corps. It’s hoped the beach will be rendered safe and open in time for Memorial Day. I’d suggest spreading the towel and slathering on the sunscreen but maybe hold off on digging for clams.