DNR to conduct prescribed burn at Crow Island State Game Area today
Michigan Department of Natural Resources sent this bulletin at 03/13/2014 01:55 PM EDT
Press Release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 13, 2014
Contact: Holly Vaughn, 248-359-9062, or Barry Sova, 989-684-7734 (DNR Wildlife Division);
or Lee Osterland, 989-275-5151 (DNR Forest Resources Division - Fire Operations)
DNR to conduct prescribed burn at Crow Island State Game Area today
The Department of Natural Resources (DNR) will conduct a prescribed burn today at the Crow Island State Game Area’s East Unit along M-13 in Saginaw County. Encompassing 950 acres, the burn is intended to improve habitat for waterfowl and other wetland-dependent wildlife by reducing cattail debris.
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.
“Reducing cattail cover will allow managers to create a ‘hemi-marsh’; a 50/50 mix of vegetation and open water that is very attractive to waterfowl,” said Joe Robison, DNR Wildlife Division supervisor.
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 stays well within the established perimeter through the use of specialized DNR firefighting equipment. 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 Crow Island burn is being conducted in an area close to major roadways, the DNR is working with the Michigan Department of Transportation and local municipalities to ensure residents aren’t alarmed if they see flames or smoke.
“Typically when conducting prescribed burns, such as the one planned for today, a large amount of smoke is emitted,” 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 operations being conducted. When developing the plan for all burns, we carefully consider all conditions to minimize the burn’s impact on the surrounding area.
"These burns are conducted under strict supervision with experienced staff. Safety is always our number-one priority.”
For more information about prescribed burning, visit www.michigan.gov/firemanagement.