"They allow the wetlands to expand without causing any danger to property."

While fires constitute a danger to property and inhabitants, preservationists argue that eliminating forest fires would cause the Pine Barrens to become dominated by oak trees.

Around midday, the danger to property around Healesville was downgraded, though the Department of Sustainability and Environment said that people should watch for changes in the weather.

All along the South Shore, Dr. Koppelman said, "the danger to property is much greater than when we did the study in 1985," reflecting continued development of barrier island and shoreline areas.

The CFUs are intended only to take proactive action to prevent danger to property and lives and to act in the interim to respond to a fire emergency until the fire brigade arrive.