DNR - Prescribed Burning

Department of Natural Resources and Environment

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• Why We Burn
Many ecosystems are vitally linked to fire. In fact, many native Michigan plant communities are part of fire dependent landscapes. By reintroducing fire, we are reinstating an essential ecosystem process.

• Fire: Wild vs. Prescribed

• Habitat for Grassland Wildlife

• Summary
Prescribed burning is an important management tool to maintain native grassland communities. An objective is established and a burn plan is developed which meets the burn objective. Experienced and trained individuals conduct the burn under the guidance of a burn plan. Neighbors, local law enforcement agencies, and local fire departments should be notified. Safety is always the top priority for the burn.

• Planning & Safety

• Objectives

• Weather Conditions

• Timing

• Fire Breaks

• Smoke Management Plans

• Notification

• Equipment

• Burn Techniques

• Sample Burn Plan PDF icon

The scene was beautiful beyond description. The timber consisted of large oak trees standing several rods apart and the intermediate space between them was covered with bright green grass and beautiful wildflowers. The whole country had been burnt over every fall or spring, I presume, for centuries, and everything had been destroyed except these giants of the forest. It did appear as if one half of the vegetation was flowers. Most of them were about eighteen inches high and when moved by the wind the effect was wonderful. I have never seen in an of our large cities a park that was its equal.

J.W. Wing
Washtenaw County, Michigan
June 1839

• Michigan Prescribed Fire Council


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