Later this month, County Forest staff will be overseeing a prescribed burn in the Northumberland County Forest to encourage the growth of the rare and globally-threatened oak savannah and oak woodland habitats.
A prescribed burn is a controlled ground fire which burns grass, brush and fallen leaves. The burn does not harm the fire-adapted trees in the burn area, which are protected by their thick bark and/or deep roots. A prescribed burn opens up the area, changing the light levels and thereby enabling the sun to nourish the targeted native species. As a result of the burn, the blackened earth attracts heat from the sun, warming the ground quicker and providing a jump-start for the growth of the native species.
“Prescribed burns are a way for us to ensure our valuable habitats have the proper environmental conditions to thrive,” states County Forest Manager Todd Farrell. “As stewards of the County Forest, it is our responsibility to ensure the sustainability of our unique habitats by removing barriers to growth. You can think of a prescribed burn as a doctor’s prescription to maintain this globally-threatened habitat and the species associated with it.”
The prescribed burn, planned for late-April or early-May, follows a detailed planning process which began in September, 2018. With the snow now melted in the forest, specific timelines for the burn will be determined based on conditions established by the Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry, including dryness, fuel on site and wind speeds. Staff are assessing and recording temperatures daily and using weather modelling to determine an appropriate date over the next several weeks. Nearby residents will be issued a notice approximately one week prior to the prescribed burn.
To ensure safety, all individuals that will be on-site during the burn will attend a briefing beforehand to review safety protocols and safe zones. Fire officials from the Township of Alnwick/Haldimand will also be on-site during the burn to monitor conditions.
Members of the public who have questions about the prescribed burn are encouraged to email Northumberland County’s Forest Services team at forest@northumberlandcounty.ca.
Author: Pete Fisher
Has been a photojournalist for over 30-years and have been honoured to win numerous awards for photography and writing over the years. Best selling author for the book Highway of Heroes - True Patriot Love
