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CNNF Announces Prescribed Burn Locations for Spring, Summer Published on 04/08/2021 under News

Controlled burns are seen as a way to improve wildlife habit and reduce wildfire risk.

Officials with the Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest recently announced their plans for prescribed fire activities for the season. Scott Linn, a zone fire management officer says, "This is an important management tool that requires expert input from resource specialists across the forest. Just like prevention is important for personal health, prescribed fire can help keep the land healthy."

Prescribed fires simulate historic, naturally occurring wildfires , and they provide great benefits to native plants and animals. Burning the previous years' plant matter returns nutrients to the soil, encouraging healthier and more productive plant growth. This rejuvenation is especially important this year as last year's burns were canceled due to Covid precautions.

While a majority of the locations for prescribed burns in the forest will be in Bayfield and Oconto Counties, there are also three sites in Price County, two in Taylor County and one in Vilas County.

An exact schedule isn't provided as the experts consider a number of factors in determining when to implement a burn. The efforts will begin this month and continue into the fall as conditions allow.

(Photo provided by CNNF: The Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest last conducted prescribed fires, like this one near Medford, in 2019.)

Local burns planned for 2021:

Price County

Buffalo Farm – 61 acres (T40N R2E Sec 24 & 25)
West Zone Wildlife Openings: Mackinney – 14.5 acres (T40N R3E Sec 14)
Riley Lake – 505 acres (T39N R2E Sec 13, 23, 24 & 25; T39N R3E Sec 30 & 31)

Taylor County

Medford Farm – 40 acres (T32N R3W Sec 24)
West Zone Admin: Spearhead Point – 23 acres (T33N R1W Sec 24)

Vilas County

Vista – 12 acres (T41N R11E Sec 26)

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