The US Department of Agriculture, Forest Service plans to use prescribed fire as a forest management tool from early April until mid-May in the Allegheny National Forest. We do not have exact dates yet. Our operations are weather-dependent, and we will implement prescribed fires at the optimal time to achieve the best results. This spring, we plan to treat 400 acres spread across five project areas located in the Warren County portion of the Bradford Ranger District.
We will notify communities near the burn sites 24 to 48 hours before ignitions. For public safety, we will post road signs and utilize road guards if necessary. To keep community members informed we will post information on our social media channels, @Allegheny_NF / Twitter and AlleghenyNF / Facebook.
Current as of | Mon, 04/15/2024 - 16:38 |
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Incident Time Zone | America/New_York |
Incident Type | Prescribed Fire |
Date of Origin | |
Location | Bradford Ranger District - multiple units view maps |
Incident Commander | US Forest Service Allegheny National Forest |
Incident Description | We conduct prescribed fires with the safety of the public and firefighters as our highest priority. Prescribed fires reduce the amount of hazardous fuels that, when left unburned, can lead to uncontrolled wildfires that could threaten human life and property. We use fire as a tool only when the parameters of our approved burn plan are met, including acceptable wind speed and direction, relative humidities, temperatures, fire danger, seasonal restrictions, and mitigation of potential smoke impacts. Fire management staff, in collaboration with forest resource specialists, identified several ecological objectives for the planned burn activities. Objectives include hazardous wildfire fuels reduction, improving forest health with vegetation diversity, and enhancing important wildlife habitat. Fires are a historic and natural process for some ecosystems in the Allegheny National Forest, grasslands and oak-hickory forests are two prime examples. Oak-hickory forests, which comprise approximately 16 percent of the Forest, require periodic fires to reduce competing undesirable vegetation, recycle soil nutrients, and stimulate the increased production of acorns, blueberries, blackberries, and other mast crops. White-tailed deer, turkey, butterflies, songbirds, grouse, snakes, turtles, and other wildlife species utilize burned areas for feeding, nesting, warming, and a place to raise their young. |
Coordinates |
41° 50' 6.58'' Latitude
-79° 15' 50.78
'' Longitude
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Size | 400 Acres |
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Estimated Containment Date | 05/20/2024 |
Planned Actions |
We plan to burn the Buckaloons Bean Field Unit on 04/16/24. Ignitions are planned to take place after noon. Smoke may be visible. |
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