Planned Burns Set for Hoosier National Forest
Source: Jen Tepp / Getty
The USDA Forest Service plans to conduct prescribed fires this fall and upcoming spring on the Hoosier National Forest. Prescribed fire is used to maintain, restore or improve early successional habitat for wildlife, maintain wetlands, restore and maintain unique barren communities, and restore oak-hickory dominated ecosystems. It also reduces the amount of woody material on the forest floor, thereby lowering the risk of catastrophic wildfire, and increases plant diversity by allowing more sunlight to the forest floor.
Prescribed burns will be conducted on National Forest System lands in seven counties – Brown, Crawford, Jackson, Lawrence, Martin, Orange and Perry. Areas being considered for burning this season have signage placed in advance, but determination of whether a fire will be implemented will be made on the day of the burn after careful evaluation of key factors and conditions. Check the forest’s social media accounts for announcements of burns at http://www.facebook.com/HoosierNF/ and https://twitter.com/HoosierNF.
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Designated burn units are closed to all public entry, including hunting, on the day of the burn and until the area is considered safe. Visitors are encouraged to review maps of the planned burn units and find more information about the use of prescribed fire on the forest website.
