The USDA Forest Service is preparing for prescribed burning on the Hiawatha and Ottawa National Forests including 7,128 acres (12 projects) on the East Zone of the Hiawatha, 2,752 acres (24 projects) on the Hiawatha’s West Zone, and 348 acres (11 projects) on the Ottawa. Prescribed burning is a tool that can help accomplish a variety of objectives. Such 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.
Maps for the units’ possible 2024 prescribed fires are available here:
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.
- Hiawatha East Zone: Brian Wolvert at (906) 630-1386
- Hiawatha West Zone: Cory Henry (906) 474-6442 ex 1014
- Ottawa National Forest: Forest Paukert (906) 358-4036
Prescribed burning provides benefits to our natural resources and reduces hazardous fuels on our National Forest. The Forest Service’s goals in burning the wildlife openings are:
- 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.
- Reduce the risk of wildfires by reducing hazardous fuels.
- 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 pinecone borer larvae.
- Stress over-story red pine to enhance cone production.
- Reduce hazardous fuel loading within unit.
The following table lists each project, its acreage, administrative unit.
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