Prescribed burns planned in Hoosier National Forest | News

Staff on the Hoosier National Forest have 13 possible prescribed burns planned for this year. Days available to accomplish these burns are always limited by weather and available personnel.    Some of the areas may be burned while other areas may not.

Prescribed burning achieves a variety of objectives in restoring forest communities.  Some areas are burned to improve oak and hickory regeneration, while others are burned to increase native grasses and keep the areas open for wildlife.

According to Terry Severson, Hoosier Fire Management Officer, approximately 2,500 acres are being prepared to be burned as weather permits. Last year the Hoosier was able to prescribe burn 2,400 acres.

Severson noted in past years the Hoosier burned in the fall and in the spring. “This year we anticipate looking at being more opportunistic with our prescribed burning. If we have a stretch of mild winter days such as we had last year we could conceivably burn in December or January.”

Areas proposed to be prescribed burned this year include:

Perry County:

·         Rattlesnake – 810 acres in Mogan Ridge

·         Talley – 260 acres in Mogan Ridge

·         Tower- 880 acres near German Ridge

Brown County:

·         Harris and Ogala (49 and 131 acres) – Small areas near Spurgeon Corner

·         Wolf Track – 242 acres between Axom Branch Rd. and Lake Monroe

Crawford County:

·         Harvey Flats – 42 acres south of Deuchers

·         U-38 – 472-acre area south of Birdseye

·         Mifflin – 156-acre track south of the community of Mifflin

Lawrence County:

·         Stillion – 42 acres north of Bonds Chapel

·         Tincher South – 16-acre narrow field east of Huron

       Orange County:

·         Antioch – 17-acre tract north of New Antioch Church

·         Rolland-Moffat – the bottomland fields of this wetland area (424 acres).

The exact date of each burn is dependent on weather and fuel conditions. Fires will be lit by hand, using drip torches. According to Severson, “The public in the immediate area of the prescribed are notified by letter.  If they wish to know the specific date of the ignition they can call our dispatch office and we will let them know once we make that decision”.  He also encourages anyone with medical issues, such as asthma or emphysema that lives immediately around where a prescribed burn is planned who might be affected by smoke, to contact the Forest Service. He notes, “We want to do everything we can to minimize effects on our neighbors.”

For questions on the prescribed burns, to request notification, or to report medical conditions please contact Indiana Interagency Coordination Center Dispatcher at 812-547-9262.