DNR resumes controlled fires

MICHIGAN– Firefighters are normally putting out fires, but this weekend– they’re lighting them.

For forest management, state firefighters start controlled fires in forests each year. These “prescribed burns” as they’re called, safely simulate natural forest fires. The Michigan DNR halted the burns last spring because of risks related to COVID–19.

Fire prevention specialist Paul Rogers says this means firefighters have their work cut out for them in 2021.

“We normally burn five to eight thousand acres a year, and so we’re behind a little bit. So we’re gonna try and— certainly try and burn more this year to keep up with it.”

Prescribed burns have a number of ecological benefits, one of which is removing debris that could otherwise help fires grow out of control.

Rogers says the DNR expects a small forest fire or two this weekend based on low soil moisture