The US Forest Service is preparing for 3,561 acres of prescribed burning on the Hiawatha National Forest. Prescribed burning is a tool that can help accomplish a variety of objectives; prescribed fire plays an important role in forest ecosystems by recycling nutrients and promoting the growth of trees and other plants – like blueberries and morels! Learn more about prescribed fire on our webpage: https://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/hiawatha/landmanagement/resourcemanagement/?cid=fseprd618351.
Prescribed burns are weather-dependent and will likely be conducted between late April and early fall, when appropriate moisture, fuel and wind conditions are more likely.
As shown on the maps, the prescribed burns will be located as follows:
On the West Zone of the Forest (Munising/Rapid River/Manistique Ranger Districts) there are 6 burns planned:
- 8 Mile Rx Burn – T 43 N/R 17 W/S 23 (204 acres) Purpose is habitat maintenance and hazardous fuels reduction.
- Mike White Rx Burn – T 44 N/R 18 W/S 19 (137 acres) Purpose is habitat maintenance, old growth maintenance and hazardous fuels reduction.
- Dutch Mill Rx Burn — T 42 N/R 21 W/S 8, 9, 16, 17 (666 acres) Purpose is habitat maintenance and hazardous fuels reduction.
- South Schaawe – T 40 N/R 21 W/S 18 (61 acres) Purpose is habitat maintenance and hazardous fuels reduction.
- Sturgeon Openings – T 44 N/R 19 W/S 10; T 45 N/ R 19 W/ S 30; T 45 N/ R 20 W/ S 32; T 45 N/ R 19 W/ S 32 (873 acres) Purpose is habitat maintenance and hazardous fuels reduction.
- Pine Marten Run – T 44 N/R 18 W/S 35 (100 acres) Purpose is habitat maintenance, old growth maintenance and hazardous fuels reduction.
On the East Zone of the Forest (St. Ignace/Sault Ste. Marie Ranger Districts) there are 6 burns planned:
- Rolling Barrel South Rx Burn – T 46N/R 4W/S 20 (137 acres) Purpose is maintain breeding and foraging habitat and fuel break systems within the Raco Plains.
- Biscuit 1 Rx Burn – T 44N/ R 4W/S 21(28 acres) Purpose is wildlife habitat maintenance.
- Porcupine Rx Burn – T 46N/ R4W Sec 20 (479 acres) Purpose is maintain breeding and foraging habitat and fuel break systems within the Raco Plains.
- Oak Savannah Rx Burn – T45N/ R5W/S 34 (26 acres) Purpose is wildlife habitat maintenance.
- Rifle Range Rx Burn – T46N/R4W/S 30 & 31 (573 acres) Reduce hazardous fuel loadings within the wildland urban interface and maintain wildlife habitat.
- Even Odds Rx Burn – T45N/R4W/S 31 (30 acres, 2 units) Purpose is to regenerate Red pine by eradicating Red pine cone borer larvae and enhancing seed production.
During active burning, smoke and flames may be visible from roads and in areas downwind of the burn site. Smoke may settle in some areas in the evening hours, however, ignition days and times will be adjusted to avoid smoke sensitive areas. If you have health problems that may be aggravated by smoke, please contact your nearest Zone Fire Management Officer. Affected individuals will be notified of prescribed fires that are conducted on Forest Service Lands in their vicinity the day of the burn.
- West Zone: Cory Henry at (906) 387-2512 x 1039.
- East Zone: Brenda Dale at (906) 643-7900 x127.
Prescribed burning provides benefits to our natural resources as well as reducing hazardous fuels on our National Forest. The Forest Service’s goals in burning the wildlife openings are:
- Reduce the risk of wildfires by reduce hazardous fuels.
- Provide improved breeding and foraging habitat for early-successional and cavity dependent species.
- Set back vegetative succession and maintain wildlife openings.
- Maintain burn units as part of a system of fuel breaks (including safety zones, escape routes, staging areas and control lines).
- Remove or reduce the impact of non-native invasive species
- Train personnel in the use of wildland fire in a safe and efficient manner.
The Forest Service’s goals in conducting site preparation burns are:
- Naturally regenerate pine using prescribed fire
- Kill red pine cone borer larvae
- Stress over-story red pine to enhance cone production
- Reduce hazardous fuel loading within unit.
