Several prescribed burns are planned this spring and summer throughout northern Wisconsin’s Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest, including at five locations in Oconto County.
“We estimate this work to continue through the summer as weather conditions allow,” said Eric Britton, a public affairs specialist based at the forest’s headquarters in Rhinelander. “We use prescribed fires to help reduce overgrown vegetation to help protect local communities, infrastructure and natural resources from wildfires.”
Oconto County properties in the Lakewood/Laona Ranger District on the list are:
• Oconto River Savannah 1. 60 acres on East Riverside Road off of County Road F.
• Oconto River Savannah 2. 54 acres on Peek Road, east of County Road F.
• Twin Pine Units 1, 6, 7 and 8. 187 acres near the intersection of state Highway 64 and Twin Pine Road (Forest Road 2107).
ª Sleeping Bear Units 2, 6 and 10. 73 acres near the intersection of Old 64 Road (Forest Road 2307) and Airport Road (Forest Road 2309).
ª Dusty Trails Units 2 and 10. 91 acres near the intersection of Old 64 Road (Forest Road 2307) and Twin Pine Road (Forest Road 2107).
All burns are subject to final approval from the U.S. Forest Service.
“Those areas may close to the public for several days for public safety,” Britton said. “Watch for warning signs along roads near all prescribed fire areas before and during burns. Residents may experience smoke during the prescribed burns. When driving, slow down and turn on your headlights when you encounter smoke on the road.
“We will notify county emergency management officials when burning begins. We will evaluate weather conditions in the hours before a burn begins. If conditions warrant, scheduled prescribed fire activities may be cancelled.”
This map shows proposed locations for prescribed burns this spring and summer in Oconto County in the Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest’s Lakewood/Laona Ranger District. (Courtesy of U.S. Forest Service)
