USDA Forest Service
Daniel Boone
National Forest
1700 Bypass Road
Winchester, KY 40391

Phone: 859-745-3100
FAX: 859-744-1568

Controlled Burns on the Daniel Boone National Forest

For Immediate Release

Contact: kmorgan@fs.fed.us

859-745-3107

WINCHESTER, Ky., March 18, 2010 – Professional firefighters with the Daniel Boone National Forest are geared up for the spring fire season. In addition to being prepared for potential wildfires, they are ready to assist forest land managers by using fire to help meet specific land management goals.

On national forest lands, controlled burns are conducted to reduce undesirable vegetation, improve wildlife habitat, and reduce forest fuels. By reducing leaf litter and woody debris on the forest floor, controlled burning lessens the chance for catastrophic wildfires to occur, which increases firefighter and public safety. Fuel levels are high across the forest due to ice storms, windstorms and insect invasions that have killed or damaged trees in recent years.

“Controlled burning is a very effective tool that can be used to manage vegetation on a landscape scale,” said Forest Supervisor Frank Beum. “It’s one of the most efficient methods we have at our disposal.

“These fires are set under controlled conditions by highly trained firefighters,” said Beum. “The firefighters closely monitor these fires once they are ignited. As always, firefighter and public safety comes first.”

All four districts of the Daniel Boone National Forest have controlled burns planned for implementation in 2010, totaling nearly 12,000 acres forest-wide. Aerial ignition by helicopter will be used in some cases to burn over large areas.

In the Red River Gorge, controlled burns are planned to reduce white pine on the ridge tops. Years of fire suppression have resulted in white pine and other fire-intolerant species slowly replacing the acorn-producing oaks that many wildlife species depend on for food.

According to Forest Botanist David Taylor, controlled burns promote native grasses and other vegetation that many wildlife species depend on for food and or habitat. “Plant diversity on upland sites is generally increased following several fires. Many plant species are either fire-dependent or associated with repeated fire occurrences, especially native grasses and forbs,” said Taylor. “The fire promotes new growth, which results in more food and protective cover for many game and non-game wildlife species.”

Wild turkey especially benefit from controlled burning. The fire promotes new plant growth, which results in improved nesting habitat and more desirable food for turkey.

A controlled burn is contained within specified boundaries by the construction of control lines or by the use of natural fire barriers such as roads and streams. A detailed burn plan, or “prescription,” is written for each area proposed for burning. The burn plan considers the proximity of private residences, businesses and roads in an effort to minimize impacts on the public.

“The burn plan also takes specific weather conditions into consideration,” said Mitch Gandy, Fire Management Officer. “The plan considers the temperature, relative humidity, wind speed and wind direction that are required to conduct each burn successfully. Other considerations include the transport wind that is required to lift and move smoke away from nearby communities.”

 Such stringent weather requirements limit the number of days that are suitable for burning in accordance with each burn plan.

 The public may contact the Daniel Boone National Forest with questions about controlled burning in their area. Turkey hunters should call prior to hunting on national forest lands during the spring hunting season. For more information call (859) 745-3100.

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