See smoke? Pennsylvania Game Commission to conduct prescribed fire in Schuylkill County

If you see smoke today, don't be alarmed. The Pennsylvania Game Commission will conduct a prescribed fire on State Game Lands106 in Schuylkill County today.

A prescribed fire, or prescribed burn, is an organized, coordinated effort that works to apply fire at the right place, at the right time, and at the right intensity to improve the health and resilience of forests, grasslands and shrublands.

A prescribed fire, or prescribed burn, is an organized, coordinated effort that works to apply fire at the right place, at the right time, and at the right intensity to improve the health and resilience of forests, grasslands and shrublands.

WHAT HAPPENS ON THE DAY OF THE BURN?

The burn area will be closed to public access through a variety of notification methods, including signage at the game lands and through the Game Commission’s online Hunter Notification map.

The crew is briefed on the burn plan and forecasted weather conditions.

A contained “test fire” is typically lit mid- to late-morning in a small area to see if conditions are appropriate for proceeding with the full operation. If the test fire achieves expected results, and weather conditions remain within the prescription, crews will begin burning along the firebreak on the downwind or uphill side of the unit to widen the control line, which helps to ensure that the remainder of the burn will stay contained.

Crews will then continue burning into the wind and downslope, sending fire into the previously burned or blackened area. This process continues until the whole unit is burned out. While ignition is taking place, additional crews patrol the firebreak perimeter to ensure the fire stays where it’s supposed to. Other crew members are assigned to monitor the weather and smoke conditions throughout the day to ensure the fire stays within its prescription and is achieving the desired ecological effects. Smoke will be visible during the burn and might be seen for many miles. Smoke will generally dissipate once ignition is complete but may linger in the immediate vicinity for several hours after the burn while downed logs smolder and burn out. Crews will remain on site until they are sure the fire is contained to the burn unit and is out cold along the firebreaks.

Check out the prescribed fire map for additional locations across the state where the Pennsylvania Game Commission will be conducting prescribed fire. 

Learn more about prescribed fire here.