FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 27, 2018
Prescribed Burn Planned in Michaux State Forest
Fayetteville, Franklin County, PA – The Department of Conservation and Natural Resources’ Bureau of Forestry is advising hunters and other Michaux State Forest visitors a prescribed burn is planned for early May, that will affect 1,400 acres of the state forest. Planned for Southampton and South Newton townships, Cumberland County, the prescribed burn is designed to reduce heavy fuel loading and the potential for extreme wildfire, control growth of invasive species, and improve forest regeneration and wildlife habitat.
“The burn is tentatively scheduled for Tuesday May 1st, however, if conditions don’t present an opportunity then, we may try later that week, or again in mid-late fall,” said Michaux State Forest District Fire Forester Philip M. Bietsch. “We could potentially burn anytime until forest green up.”
The area targeted totals 1,926 acres, Bietsch said, and is between Ridge, Hogshead and Big Pond roads. Due to some special management species concerns the burn has been broken into 2 units, and the larger of the two units (1,400 acres) will be burned. Roads will be closed in this area, commonly known as Hairy Springs, and near the local state forest vista, Buzzards Rock.
Due to public and fire fighter safety being of the utmost importance, road and area closure will be in effect starting Monday, April 30th, at 2:00 PM and will remain in effect until deemed safe by the District Forester. No public is permitted within the road or area closure after 2:00 PM, Monday, April 30th. We estimate reopening the area by Thursday afternoon, May 3rd.
“We are trying to get the word out now,” Bietsch said, “to give turkey hunters and other forest visitors as much notice as possible so they can adjust hunting plans or any other recreational activities as needed.”
The fire forester said the burn will reduce fuel loading in the state forest, thus decreasing the potential for severe wildfires. “Also, we’ll be using the prescribed fire as an economically viable option for treating the forest at a landscape level for the overall health, sustainability and resiliency of the forest,” Bietsch said. Specifically, the burn is designed to reduce mountain laurel cover in the tract; increase vigor of oak regeneration; prepare a more suitable seed bed by reducing the forest’s duff layer; increase gaps in overhead canopy; and increase the area’s scrub oak component.
The burn will be determined by weather and burning conditions, both of which are important to ensure fire and smoke can be controlled throughout the burn, and that ecological goals are met. Signs will be posted in the area the day of the burn, and a map of affected areas will be posted at the district office. The burn will be conducted in accordance with the Pennsylvania Prescribed
Burning Practices Act.
On the day of the burn, area residents and local travelers may see fire trucks, fire police, forestry staff, fire, smoke and other activities in the area. This activity is normal and part of efforts to ensure safe and successful completion of this significant resource management effort.
Michaux State Forest District office hours are weekdays from 8 AM to 4 PM; telephone, 717-352-2211.
For information on Michaux and Pennsylvania’s other 19 state forest districts, visit www.dcnr.pa.gov.
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