Prescribed fires to begin on Superior National Forest

The Superior National Forest is planning to conduct a series of prescribed fires across the forest to improve and maintain forest health and wildlife habitat, and reduce hazardous fuel build up and the risk of intense wildfire. T
he meadow and forest ecosystems in northeastern Minnesota are fire-dependent and rely on periodic fires to stay healthy. Prescribed fires are carefully planned and managed to meet natural resource objectives in a safe, effective manner.
Depending on the fuels and weather conditions, the prescribed fire units could be burned starting as early as March 29 and all the way until June or July.
Prescribed fires are conducted by trained fire management professionals who have studied fire behavior and fire control techniques. These fire professionals help ensure the safety of the burn crew, nearby residents, and property. The window of opportunity for prescribed burning is very small.
Safety factors, weather conditions, air quality, personnel availability and environmental regulations are continually monitored before, during and after the burn.
The Forest Service says the benefits of using prescribed fire as a management tool on the Superior National Forest are:
• Protects communities and infrastructure by reducing hazardous fuels and the risk of high intensity wildfires.
• Improves and supports wildlife habitat for many species on the forest including kestrel, woodcock, moose, white tail deer, black bear, meadow vole and the rare Nabokov blue butterfly.
• Limits the spread of invasive plant species and maintains native ecosystems.
• Promotes the growth of trees, plants, and wildflowers, and the wild blueberry crop.