Polly Weigand / Central Pine Barrens Commission The Central Pine Barrens Commission started a prescribed burn of sections of the Long Island Pine Barrens this week to reduce potential hazards and promote its healthy growth. The commission released on Monday a $1.25 million plan for prescribed fire operations, the controlled application of fire by a team of fire experts under specified weather conditions to restore health to ecosystems that depend on fire, according to the U.S. Forest Service. Prescribed fire operations are underway in the Rocky Point Barrens State Forest, with the David Pine Barrens State Forest and Otis Pike Pine Barrens State Forest tapped for operations later this month.