March 15th, 2022 by WCBC Radio
The Maryland Department of Natural Resources plans to conduct a controlled burn on Dan's Mountain Wildlife Management Area. The burn will happen in late winter/early spring as weather and other conditions are appropriate.
"If you see smoke in the area southwest of Rawlings it is not a forest fire," DNR said via press release. "The fire will create smoke, however it will be a low controlled flame targeting underbrush and ground cover debris."
Access to the WMA at the primitive camping area and at Middle Ridge Road will be limited during the burn due to potential for low visibility from smoke, but will reopen as soon as the burn is completed. According to Rick Latshaw, habitat manager for the Wildlife and Heritage Service, the purpose of the burn is to improve habitat for wildlife and restore stands of pitch pine and table mountain pine that’s more than 90 years old.
The flames will open pine cones that provide food for wildlife, and help a new generation of seedlings grow.
Numerous other benefits such as reduced fuel and improved regeneration of oak are also goals of the burn.
DNR will direct the burn.
Trained wildland firefighters and wildland fire trucks and other equipment will be present to ensure the burn is safe and efficient.
Adequate fire lines will be established before the burn.
"There are no homes or other structures nearby," the release stated.
November 13th, 2021 by WCBC Radio
The Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) will conduct a controlled burn on Dan’s Mountain Wildlife Management Area between now and November 22 as weather and other conditions allow. Residents or drivers who see smoke in the area southwest of Rawlings should be aware that it may appear to be a forest fire, but is deliberate and controlled and there is no need to report it to authorities.
The fire will create smoke but it will be a controlled flame targeting underbrush and ground cover debris. Access to the wildlife management area at its primitive camping area and at Middle Ridge Road will be limited during the burn, due to potential for low visibility, but will reopen as soon as the burn is completed.
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