Northern Minnesotans may notice smoke rising in national forests and other natural areas this time of year, and often, the source is prescribed burns organized by land management officials.
Chippewa National Forest and Superior National Forest fire crews are planning prescribed burns for this spring. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service also recently announced burns planned in the Agassiz National Wildlife Refuge.
Chippewa National Forest
In Chippewa, fire crews will conduct the prescribed burn at the Cuba Hill Impoundment, starting as early as Thursday, April 27, weather and appropriate conditions permitting. The exact date of operations are dependent on current and forecasted local weather conditions, the U.S. Forest Service reported.
The Cuba Hill Impoundment is located to the north and west of the intersection of Cuba Hill Road (Forest Road 2133) and Forest Road 3772, or approximately 8 mile southeast of Cass Lake. The 30-acre prescribed burn will help set the back brush encroachment that is slowly creeping into the historical grassy impoundment.
Additionally, operations will help inhibit the number of cattails that are out-competing other native vegetation. Overall, the project will provide more ideal habitat for nesting birds and waterfowl reproduction, according to the Forest Service.
During prescribed fire operations, smoke may be visible to area residents and visitors. Smoke may potentially drift across roads adjacent to the burn area. If smoke is encountered on the roadways, drivers are asked to slow down and turn on their vehicle’s lights and to be aware of fire crews and equipment.
Those with questions may contact the Walker Ranger District at 218-547-1044.
“We only conduct the prescribed burns if conditions allow. We typically do not complete all of the prescribed burns we have planned in a given year because the window for burning is short and conditions must be just right on-the-ground.”Nick Petrack, West Zone fire management officer
Superior National Forest
In the Superior National Forest, officials report winter weather pushed back prescribed burn operations this year. The Forest has prescribed fire plans developed to burn up to 7,000 acres. However, burning all planned acres depends on many factors such as weather and vegetation conditions, fire staff availability, and other considerations.
“The meadow and forest ecosystems in northeastern Minnesota are fire-dependent and rely on periodic fires to stay healthy,” Superior National Forest staff reported. “Prescribed fire also is culturally significant to indigenous people of this area.”
Prescribed burning is planned for various units across the 2-million-acre portion of the Superior National Forest (prescribed burns in the Boundary Waters Canoe Wilderness are planned separately), however 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 the burn to determine feasibility of moving forward with the prescribed burn, during and after the burn.
“Safety of our firefighters and the public is always our number one priority,” stated Nick Petrack, West Zone fire management officer. “We only conduct the prescribed burns if conditions allow. We typically do not complete all of the prescribed burns we have planned in a given year because the window for burning is short and conditions must be just right on-the-ground.”
For the safety of pilots and firefighters, people are asked to refrain from using drones in fire areas — it is illegal and can prevent flights from continuing.
For more information about the status of prescribed fires, visit the Superior National Forest website or follow on Facebook and Twitter for updates.
Those with questions about planned burns in the Kawishiwi, La Croix or Laurentian districts, call 218-248-2411. For questions about planned fires in Tofte or Gunflint districts, call 218-387-1750.
