ELY — The Superior National Forest plans to begin prescribed burns as early as this week.
In a Thursday, Sept. 11, news release, the agency said the pile burns will begin on the eastern side of the Forest’s Gunflint and Tofte ranger districts, pending required approvals. The western side of the forest will see prescribed burns when conditions improve.
The work is likely to continue through December as weather conditions allow. Prescribed burns are used to reduce overgrown vegetation to help protect from wildfires.
"Prescribed fire is any fire ignited by management actions to meet specific objectives," stated the USDA on a webpage. "We use it as a tool for fuels reduction, vegetation management and wildlife habitat maintenance."
The Gunflint burn areas include approximately 1,500 acres. The Tofte burn areas include about 1,600 acres.
Weather conditions will be evaluated before burns begin and county emergency management officials will be notified of prescribed burning activity.
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