DNR Performs Prescribed Burn at Bay City State Park
Annual burn clears dead grass and reeds from Chickadee Nature Trail area
April 4, 2010
By: Stephen Kent
"It was a perfect day for a burn" said the DNR's Richard Vantol. Fire crews from the Standish DNR Fire Control unit closed the State Park's Chickadee Nature Trail, situated between the Muscle Beach drive in and the Jennison Nature Center, for the annual burn.
The tall dry grass is burned off both to clear the area and prevent accidental fires later. Within a few weeks the new growth will cover the area and soon be waist high again in native grasses, milkweed, and other plants.
Although there have been fire danger warnings in the last few days, this burn was quite safe. The fuel was dry enough to burn fast, the wind was light, and area is small and surrounded by wide paved trails that act as fire breaks. Most important, there was a trained and fully equipped fire crew standing by.
The burn was started with back fires on the downwind side of the plot. As the back fire moved forward the crew worked around to the upwind side. The fire grew quickly burning toward the center.
The entire burn took about 25 minutes. The fire crew worked through the area hosing down hot spots and smoldering logs. They stayed in the area until the fire was completely out.
In an area where the dry grass was four to five feet tall the ground was completely cleared.
In a few days green shoots will emerge and the area will quickly be filled with insects, birds and small animals.
Crews set back fires on the downwind side of the plot.
The fire quickly converges on the center.
The flames are tall but the fuel burns out quickly.
The fire crew watches from all sides.
Water trucks work the area.
Crewmen wet down the hot spots.
Tree trunks are singed but unhurt.
Dead snags and downed limbs are quickly hosed down.