Waumbek
New member
- Joined
- Oct 27, 2004
- Messages
- 1,890
- Reaction score
- 209
It's raining in the WMNF tonight but presumably the ultra-dry conditions this week have postponed the USFS prescribed burns in the WMNF. This a new one to me, I must say. As an abutter to WMNF for 30 yrs., it's a little scary to have turned up this info while googling something else. I'm glad to have read about it before I worried about smoke. From the Berlin Daily Sun of April 18, 2005:
Controlled fire prescribed for White Mountain National Forest
— Spring burning in the White Mountain National Forest will begin this week as ground and weather conditions become right for safe and effective burning. Don Muise, a Zone Fire Management Officer with the national forest, is keeping a close eye on the weather and moisture levels in the various sites around the forest.
“We have a site-specific burn plan for each area that describes the exact parameters and conditions we need before we’ll ignite a fire. We wait for the right wind, weather, and moisture levels that will allow us to burn safely. The burn plans also spell out all the details for the kinds of equipment and the number of trained firefighters needed at the site, and spells out coordination procedures with local fire departments.”
The Forest Service plans to burn areas in the New Hampshire towns of Chatham, Livermore, Albany, Easton, Milan, Berlin, and Lancaster. Burning in Maine is planned for Stoneham, Albany, Gilead, Mason, and Batchelders Grant.
The burn sites range from 2-14 acres in size. A total of about 81 acres of the 780,000-acre national forest planned for burning this spring.
Prescribed fire is a management tool used to maintain wildlife openings in the forest to provide grassy meadows or shrubby areas – essential habitat for some forest dwellers. Wildlife openings add to the diversity and complexity of habitat in the national forest.
“Periodic burning of these sites helps to maintain the open habitat for feeding, nesting, and cover for many wildlife species,” says Lesley Rowse, Forest Service Wildlife Biologist.
Burning is also used to reduce the amount of accumulated forest fuels such as dead leaves, brush, and wood, reducing the potential for a wildfire. Prescribed fire can also prepare a seedbed on the forest floor for regeneration of certain tree species such as oak and pine. The burns are ignited and controlled by wildland firefighters with up-to-date training and gear. Firefighters stay prepared for assignments here and out west if needed for wildfire suppression.
Muise notes that the burn sites are mostly well away from populated areas and will cause little if any inconvenience to national forest visitors. For more information call your local White Mountain National Forest Ranger Station.
Controlled fire prescribed for White Mountain National Forest
— Spring burning in the White Mountain National Forest will begin this week as ground and weather conditions become right for safe and effective burning. Don Muise, a Zone Fire Management Officer with the national forest, is keeping a close eye on the weather and moisture levels in the various sites around the forest.
“We have a site-specific burn plan for each area that describes the exact parameters and conditions we need before we’ll ignite a fire. We wait for the right wind, weather, and moisture levels that will allow us to burn safely. The burn plans also spell out all the details for the kinds of equipment and the number of trained firefighters needed at the site, and spells out coordination procedures with local fire departments.”
The Forest Service plans to burn areas in the New Hampshire towns of Chatham, Livermore, Albany, Easton, Milan, Berlin, and Lancaster. Burning in Maine is planned for Stoneham, Albany, Gilead, Mason, and Batchelders Grant.
The burn sites range from 2-14 acres in size. A total of about 81 acres of the 780,000-acre national forest planned for burning this spring.
Prescribed fire is a management tool used to maintain wildlife openings in the forest to provide grassy meadows or shrubby areas – essential habitat for some forest dwellers. Wildlife openings add to the diversity and complexity of habitat in the national forest.
“Periodic burning of these sites helps to maintain the open habitat for feeding, nesting, and cover for many wildlife species,” says Lesley Rowse, Forest Service Wildlife Biologist.
Burning is also used to reduce the amount of accumulated forest fuels such as dead leaves, brush, and wood, reducing the potential for a wildfire. Prescribed fire can also prepare a seedbed on the forest floor for regeneration of certain tree species such as oak and pine. The burns are ignited and controlled by wildland firefighters with up-to-date training and gear. Firefighters stay prepared for assignments here and out west if needed for wildfire suppression.
Muise notes that the burn sites are mostly well away from populated areas and will cause little if any inconvenience to national forest visitors. For more information call your local White Mountain National Forest Ranger Station.
