Single Incident Information

2024 USDA Forest Service Upper Peninsula Fire Management Unit Prescribed Fire Projects - Hiawatha NF East Zone 

All planned prescribed fires 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 fire are available here:

• Upper Peninsula Fire Management Map

   

Hiawatha National Forest East Zone Proposed Prescribed Fire Activity

Project Name - Acres - Purpose of project

Betchler,  4675 acres, Wildlife Habitat Improvement and Maintenance

Bramley, 161 acres,  Seed Collection

Cape Cod,  45 acres, Site Prep for Regeneration

Crimson, 34 acres,  Wildlife Habitat Improvement and Maintenance

Fugi,  345 acres,  Site Prep for Regeneration

Gala,  402 acres,  Wildlife Habitat Improvement and Maintenance

Highbanks,  977 acres, Site Prep for Regeneration/ Reduce Hazardous Fuels

Inkwell,  138 acres,  Wildlife Habitat Improvement and Maintenance

North Rifle Range,  99 acres,  Wildlife Habitat Improvement and Maintenance

Paula Red,  64 acres,  Site Prep for Regeneration

Plantation,  38 acres,  Reduce Hazardous Fuels

Rusty Waikiki,  50 acres,  Site Prep for Regeneration

Total Acres 7,128

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 West Zone: Brian Wolvert,(906) 630-1386

Prescribed burning provides benefits to our natural resources as well as reducing hazardous fuels on our National Forests. The Forest Service’s goals in burning 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.

Please contact your local Forest Service office (Hiawatha offices, Ottawa offices) if you have any questions.