The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation will be conducting prescribed burns on select state-managed lands now through early May, including several locations in Schuyler and Steuben counties.
“Prescribed fires are used to reduce the buildup of wood and timber litter to prevent wildfires that would threaten public safety and structures,” said DEC Commissioner Amanda Lefton. “It is also an important land management tool that helps DEC achieve specific ecological goals, including eliminating habitat for invasive species.”
Prescribed fires are planned in many regions of the state, including:
Cameron State Forest – Steuben County
Canisteo River Basin Unit Management Plan – Steuben County
Helmer Creek Wildlife Management Area – Steuben County
Coon Hollow State Forest – Schuyler County
West Cameron Wildlife Management Area – Steuben County
West Hill State Forest – Steuben County
Before any prescribed fire is conducted, a burn plan is developed that outlines land management objectives, as well as parameters that must be satisfied before any prescribed fire can take place. Careful consideration is given to environmental factors such as current and expected weather conditions and smoke management considerations in close coordination with the National Weather Service. In addition, burn plans are executed by nationally qualified burn bosses.
Prescribed burns accomplish more than simply using fire to manipulate habitat for a land management objective. The burns serve as an opportunity for DEC Forest Rangers to develop partnerships among different DEC divisions. Prescribed fires on DEC-managed lands allow Forest Rangers, working with the DEC Divisions of Lands and Forests, Operations, and Fish and Wildlife, to train more staff to become wildland firefighters, supporting efforts to implement future prescribed burns and wildland fire responses.
Prescribed burns are regulated by law, and they are exempt from the annual residential brush burn ban in effect from March 16 to May 14
