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Prescribed Fires To Begin In April In CNNF

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Snow is still around parts of the Northwoods, but crews in the Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest are preparing for prescribed fire burns in parts of the forest, including Price county.

Forest spokesperson Hillary Markin says it seems odd that fire can be a positive within a forest, but that's the case...

"....what we use prescribed burns for is to restore wildlife habitat and reduce the risk of wildfires. We put a fire intentionally through an area. That reduces the amount of underbrush, so if there was a wild fire, there wouldn't be as much fuel for that fire...."

Markin says the fires reduce underbrush and set the stage for better wildlife habitat...

".....we'll try to get the prescribed fires through before the growing season gets really turned on and everything turns green. Starting probably in mid-April and going through early June you'll see Forest Service personnel and other agencies doing prescribed burns across the Northwoods....."

Markin says fire crews are highly trained and are done only with much planning and coordination. She says too much wind or moisture, or lack of moisture affects how fire is used. Last year crews on the west side of the Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest burned more than 3,600 acres of forest lands.

This year, 28 burns are planned on 14 sites in Bayfield, Sawyer and Price counties. East of Park Falls, crews will be working on three sites, including the Riley Wildlife areas to maintain grassy areas for sharp-tailed grouse and other wildlife.

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