Huron Zone Projects for April 18 2021

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Publication Type: Announcement Sun, 04/18/2021 - 12:00

The Huron Zone will be implementing the Mack/McKinley Units 1 through 4 prescribed fire projects on Sunday April 18, 2021. The goal of the Mack/McKinley Prescribed Fire Project is to treat 419 acres of Red Pine adjacent to Pine and Oak stands. The intent of the burn is to reduce hazardous fuels, restore ecosystem function with fire adapted vegetation and enhance wildlife habitat. Unit 1 through 3 will occur in the vicinity of Silver Creek and Tower Roads, in Mentor Twp., Oscoda County. Access to the Bull Gap ORV Trailhead may be affected. Unit 4 will occur on Winton Road, between E Bull Gap and Loud Roads, Mentor Twp. Oscoda. Residents and motorists may see and smell smoke in the vicinity of Mentor Township, Oscoda County. Fire personnel and heavy equipment will be active in the area. Residents and motorists are asked to be careful around firefighters and equipment.

Burn locations are subject to change due to fuel and/or other conditions. Updates will be made as the changes are reported.

UPDATED Manistee Zone Projects for April 17 2021

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Publication Type: Announcement Sat, 04/17/2021 - 12:00

The Manistee Zone will be implementing the SE Peacock Unit 6 and Idlewild Unit 1 prescribed fire projects to reduce 82 acres of timber litter and grass fuels adjacent to timber litter in Yates and Webber Townships, Lake County. By reducing timber litter and flashy fuels, such as grasses, the risk for active and aggressive fire behavior is reduced thereby creating safer conditions for the public and firefighters. Residents and motorists may smell or see smoke and encounter fire personnel in the vicinity of the Nelson Road and 50th Street in Yates Twp. and N. Peacock Trail and Mieras Road in Webber Twp., Lake County. Please use caution when travelling in this area.

Peacock Unit 4 will be implemented to reduce 23 acres of timber litter in red pine adjacent to red pine in Yates Twp., Lake County. Residents and motorists may smell or see smoke and encounter fire personnel in the vicinity of the 76th St. and Forman Road in Yates Twp. Please use caution when travelling in this area.

Burn locations are subject to change due to fuel and/or other conditions. Updates will be made as the changes are reported.

Manistee Zone Projects for April 16 2021

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Publication Type: Announcement Fri, 04/16/2021 - 12:00

The Manistee Zone will be implementing the Pine 29 and Nine Mile Road prescribed fire projects to reduce 72 acres of grass fuels adjacent to timber litter and slash in Stronach and Norman Townships, Manistee County. By reducing flashy fuels such as grasses, the risk for active and aggressive fire behavior is reduced thereby creating safer conditions for the public and firefighters. Residents and motorists may smell or see smoke and encounter fire personnel in the vicinity of the Pine Lake Road and FR8687 Roads in Norman Twp. and Nine Mile Bridge and Koon Roads in Stronach Twp., Manistee County.

Burn locations are subject to change due to fuel and/or other conditions. Updates will be made as the changes are reported.

Manistee Zone Projects for April 14 2021 Cancelled

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Publication Type: Announcement Wed, 04/14/2021 - 12:00

The following prescribed burn has been cancelled due to conditions:

The Manistee Zone will be implementing the Baldwin prescribed fire project to reduce 1,083 acres of timber litter fuels in Webber Township, Lake County.
By reducing fuels such as timber litter, the risk for active and aggressive fire behavior is reduced thereby creating safer conditions for the public and firefighters. Residents and motorists may smell or see smoke and encounter fire personnel in the vicinity of the 52nd St. and S. Jenks Road in the vicinity of Gleason's Landing in Webber Township, Lake County.

Burn locations are subject to change due to fuel and/or other conditions. Updates will be made as the changes are reported.

Huron Zone Projects for April 13 2021 Cancelled

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Publication Type: Announcement Tue, 04/13/2021 - 12:00

The following prescribed burns have been cancelled due to conditions:

The Huron Zone will be implementing the Brittle and Mack/McKinley prescribed fire projects on Tuesday April 13, 2021.

The goal of the Mack/McKinley Prescribed Fire Project is to treat 45 acres of grass to reduce hazardous fuels, restore ecosystem function with fire adapted vegetation and enhance wildlife habitat. This activity will occur in the vicinity of Watson and East Wagner Lake Roads, in Big Creek Township, Oscoda County.

The Brittle RX will implement aerial ignitions to treat 1,846 acres of a Red Pine Plantation adjacent to a mixed stand of Pine and Oak in Plains Township, Iosco County. The intent of the project is to create an opening and fuel break to provide safe firefighter access in a high risk fuels area, as well as improving wildlife habitat.

Residents and motorists may see and smell smoke in the vicinity of Allen, Iargo, National Trout Pond and Webb Roads in Plains Township, Iosco County. Fire personnel and heavy equipment will be active in the area. Residents and motorists are asked to be careful around firefighters and equipment.

Prescribed Fire personnel will be utilizing aerial ignitions by helicopter to complete this project. The public and media are urged to not use drones in the project area. Use of Unmanned Aircraft Systems (drones) can impact firefighter safety and the ability for personnel to complete the project.

Manistee Zone Projects for April 13 2021

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Publication Type: Announcement Tue, 04/13/2021 - 12:00

The Manistee Zone will be implementing the Hankins and Island prescribed fire projects to reduce 140 acres of sedge and grass fuels adjacent to timber litter and slash in Henderson Township, Wexford County and Dickson Township, Manistee County. By reducing flashy fuels such as sedges and grasses, the risk for active and aggressive fire behavior is reduced thereby creating safer conditions for the public and firefighters. Residents and motorists may smell or see smoke and encounter fire personnel in the vicinity of the N. High Bridge Road and Old House Road in Manistee County and West 48 1/2 Road and S25 Road in Wexford County.

Fire Managers Prepare for 2021

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Publication Type: News Thu, 04/08/2021 - 12:00

Forest Service News Release

Wildfire Information Specialist Debra-Ann A Brabazon

(231) 590-7004

debraann.brabazon@usda.gov

www.fs.usda.gov/hmnf

Fire Managers Prepare for 2021

Cadillac, MI, April 8, 2021 – The USDA Forest Service is planning to conduct prescribed fires this year on the Huron-Manistee National Forests (HMNFs). Fire management has identified wildfire fuels reduction projects as opportunities for prescribed fires in Wexford, Manistee, Lake, Mason, Oceana, Newaygo, Alcona, Crawford, Iosco and Oscoda Counties. Alerts will be placed on the Huron-Manistee’s social media to inform the public that a prescribed burn may be occurring in their area. “Prescribed fire is instrumental in reducing hazardous fuels that increase the danger of wildfires, and threaten public and firefighter safety,” said John Norton-Jensen, Huron Zone Fire Management Officer. During the planning phase, Prescribed Fire Burn Plans are prepared considering a variety of ecological concerns and agency policies. “Project locations are selected based upon wind speed and direction, relative humidity and temperature, fire danger and seasonal restrictions, as well as potential smoke impacts,” added Norton-Jensen. Manistee Zone Fire Management Officer Ben Wagner stated, “Prescribed fires are conducted with the safety of the public and firefighters as the highest priority. They will only occur when appropriate resources are available. At times we may need to temporarily close Forest roads and trails. The Forest Service will notify the public of these closures by posting signs and using social media.” During the operational phase, “Firefighters secure the lines and monitor the fire until it is considered extinguished,” assured Wagner noting that any fire lines created will be allowed to grow back with vegetation. Wagner noted that, “smoke may be seen, and smelled, many miles away for several days afterwards.” Burning material is extinguished near the outer edges, while interior logs and stumps may burn for a few days following ignition. The Michigan Prescribed Fire Council notes that prescribed burning has long been recognized by land managers as a management tool capable of impacting biological diversity. It can encourage and discourage plant growth, reduce thatch and duff, increase nutrients, increase rates of solar soil warming, and expose mineral soils for better seed germination. Prescribed fires also play fire’s natural role in the many ecosystems on the Forests. Species such as white-tailed deer, turkey, butterflies, songbirds, grouse and turtles use burned areas for food, cover and a place to raise their young. For more information on current prescribed fires on the HMNFs, please visit Huron-Manistee NFs Spring RX Burning Information - InciWeb the Incident Information System (nwcg.gov).

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Huron Zone Projects for April 8 2021

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Publication Type: Announcement Thu, 04/08/2021 - 12:00

The Huron Zone will be implementing three prescribed fire projects April 8, 2021 in Wilbur Township, Iosco County. The Tawas 5KW burn is being implemented to create habitat openings for the Kirtland Warbler, a unique species of bird that annually migrates to the area from Jamaica to breed in Northern Jack Pine Forests. The goal is to burn 308 acres of grass, oak and brush adjacent to Jack Pine stands, south of the Silver Creek Area. The Chambers Fuelbreak project is being implemented to reduce hazardous fuels which threaten public and firefighter safety in the area of Chambers and Shellenbarger Roads. The goal is to burn 57 acres of grass, timber litter and light slash adjacent to Red and Jack Pine stands. Residents will see smoke and smell and encounter fire personnel and equipment during operations. Fuelbreaks add valuable buffer space that can be used strategically to decrease fire behavior and movement when wildfire approaches values at risk, such as residential areas and natural and cultural resources of concern. Please utilize caution and watch out for firefighters and their equipment near the project areas.

Manistee Zone Projects for April 7 2021

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Publication Type: Announcement Wed, 04/07/2021 - 12:00

The Manistee zone is implementing the Bristol 207 RX Fire Project April 7, 2021 in Dover township of Lake County at the intersection of N Hawkins Rd and East 10 Mile Rd. Please watch out for personnel and equipment in the area.

Huron Zone Projects April 7 2021

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Publication Type: Announcement Wed, 04/07/2021 - 12:00

The Huron Zone will be implementing the Roy Creek 2 and Roy Creek 4 Prescribed Fire Projects April 7, 2021. The goal is to treat 511 acres of Jack Pine, Red Pine and oak near Oscoda Township in Iosco County and Curtis Township in Alcona County. The public may encounter fire personnel in the vicinity of Kings Corner Road and Forest Road 4428. Please be careful around these areas.

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