DNR anticipates prescribed burn on Grand River in Ottawa County

Press Release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 25, 2014

Contact: Jim Fisher, 989-275-5151, ext. 2052 (DNR Forest Resources Division - Fire Operations)
or Nik Kalejs, 231-788-5055 (DNR Wildlife Division)


DNR anticipates conducting a prescribed burn on the Grand River
in Ottawa County

The Department of Natural Resources plans to conduct a prescribed burn on the Grand River in Spring Lake Township (Ottawa County) sometime this summer or early fall when weather and other burn conditions are favorable. Encompassing 15 sites that range in size from an eighth of an acre to 2 acres, the objective is to burn phragmites, an invasive plant that competes with native vegetation.

“The management of phragmites has a two-pronged approach in that it is first sprayed with herbicide and then burned the following year,” said Nik Kalejs, DNR wildlife biologist for Ottawa County. “Phragmites produces thick, nearly impenetrable vegetation that has very little to no value to wildlife. This management technique has been very effective in the past in mitigating the spread of this aggressive invader.”

Kalejs said that prescribed burning is necessary for the health of wetlands and many wildlife species.

“Phragmites control is an ongoing collaborative project with the DNR's Wildlife and Forest Resources divisions," he added. "The health of the habitat of this area will be much better off for many years as a result of this burn.”

The prescribed burn will take place on state-managed land on two islands: Dermo and Poel.

Prescribed burns are planned to achieve specific objectives – oftentimes simulating the benefits of natural fires. The burns are conducted at all times of the year by highly trained DNR personnel in designated state-managed areas during appropriate weather conditions and in cooperation with the proper authorities and local units of government.

Prescribed burns are often used to: 

• Improve wildlife habitat.
• Help with forest regeneration. 
• Restore and maintain native plant life. 
• Control invasive plant species. 
• Reduce the risk of wildfires.

Before a burn is conducted, experienced DNR fire staff studies the area and carefully develops a burn plan to maximize the desired effects of fire while assuring safety procedures are in place. The burn plan is essentially the "prescription" for how to conduct the burn safely while accomplishing the management objectives.

The burn plan focuses on minimizing the effects of smoke and ensuring that the fire, through the use of specialized DNR firefighting equipment, stays well within the established perimeter. Although the plan is reviewed and approved well in advance, the actual burn must get a final approval the morning of a burn after DNR fire staff goes over a rigorous go/no-go checklist. If conditions are not favorable, the burn can be canceled at any time.

Because the Ottawa County burn is being conducted in highly visible areas, the DNR is working with local municipalities to ensure residents aren’t alarmed if they see flames or smoke.

“Typically when conducting prescribed burns involving phragmites, dense black smoke is emitted from the dead fuel,” explained Lee Osterland, fire management specialist with the DNR’s Forest Resources Division. “This is no cause for alarm as it is a normal part of the burn and the smoke isn’t caused by a toxic material. When developing the plan for all burns, we carefully consider all conditions to minimize the burn’s impact on the surrounding area.

"Prescribed burns are conducted under strict supervision with experienced staff.”

So far in 2014, the DNR has completed 102 prescribed burns on 10,287 acres. 

For more information about prescribed burning, visit www.michigan.gov/firemanagement.