Patient Name: State Game Lands. Rx: Fire.
Patient Name: State Game Lands. Rx: Fire.
PGC prescribes controlled burns to improve habitat, eliminate pests
By Tyler Frantz
“Only you can prevent wildfires,” says the charming, hat-wearing bear named Smokey, as he shares a wise message for a significant and worthy cause.
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| Drew Lambert Photo |
Wildfires are serious business, and old Smokey has done a great job here in Pennsylvania, where naturally occurring fires have been all but eliminated since the US Forest Service launched its iconic fire prevention campaign in 1944.
In fact, the effort has been so effective that the state’s aging oak-dominant forests, which have thrived as a result of natural fires for centuries, are now struggling to regenerate on their own.
Low-intensity fires, whether set intentionally by Native Americans and land-clearing pioneers or unintentionally by train engine stoker sparks and careless travelers, have always helped bolster oak reproduction in Pennsylvania.
The oak’s thicker bark and deeper root system provides a special resistance to fire, while other competing species, such as birch, maple and tulip poplar, are more vulnerable to flame damage. Without the presence of fire, trees providing lesser quality food sources to wildlife are beginning to dominate forested areas where nutritious oaks once reigned supreme.
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| Drew Lambert Photo |
In an effort to restore oaks to their long-standing status as the apex trees of the woodlot, the Pennsylvania Game Commission has recently reintroduced fire in the form of carefully prescribed burns on several State Game Lands locations.
The burns are intentionally set, monitored and controlled by specially trained fire teams, consisting of food and cover crewmembers, foresters and other experienced natural resource personnel.
Drew Lambert, Gamelands Maintenance Supervisor for Lebanon County and 11-year employee of the Game Commission, is one of those fire team members. He was kind enough to offer some detailed insight on this intriguing restoration process.
“This year, we had several counties within the Southeast Region conduct a controlled burn,” said Lambert. “In the immediate area, Dauphin, Lancaster, Lebanon and Schuylkill all successfully completed burn units, which came to approximately 2,104 acres treated.”
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| Drew Lambert Photo |
“Objectives in addition to promoting oak regeneration were to reduce leaf litter and to obtain mortality of invasive species,” Lambert explained. “Some benefits are immediate, while others are long term. For instance, snags can be created for cavity-nesting wildlife, we can achieve early-successional habitat, and another benefit is a reduction in the tick population inside a burn unit.”
“Recovery from a controlled burn can depend on site conditions, but in most units, you will see new growth covering the forest floor within weeks after a burn.”
Preparing for a controlled burn takes much more time than the burn itself, and often begins weeks, if not months, in advance.
“The actual process of a controlled burn starts with identifying certain areas that have a solid composition of oaks present. Once a unit is chosen, a burn plan must be put together and reviewed,” Lambert said.
“After everything is finalized, we then have fire lines roughed in and snap tanks for water put up. The next step is to wait for the right weather conditions to be able to have a successful burn. Humidity, wind and the aspect of the unit are major factors for "Go" or "No Go" on the day of a burn.”
When a burn is confirmed, crews start early, bringing specialized equipment, tools and P.P.E. (Personal Protective Equipment) to meet at a staging area where all equipment is unloaded and filled up with water. After everyone is ready to go, we have a briefing with the burn boss depicting how the controlled burn will be carried out and receive our assignments for the day.”
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| Author photo |
Lambert said the process can be quite taxing at times, and it is important to have a trained and experienced crew on hand. His training consists of Basic Wildland Firefighter (PA 130), Incident Command System (I-100), and National Incident Management System (IS-700) certifications, plus an annual pack test and refresher.
“A few times this past fire season, we had days where we were locked in the smoke for hours at a time. This can be dangerous due to very low visibility and the fact that you are breathing in smoke and you can't get away from it. Add warm weather and heat from the fire, and you really need to be aware of the fatigue and hydration factor.”
Though it’s a tough job, Lambert realizes someone has to do it; controlled burns are essential to preserving the mast producing oaks that benefit the game species we all enjoy hunting and observing on State Game Lands.
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| PGC Photo |
“Serving on the food and cover crew is a passion of mine because of my love for wildlife,” said Lambert. “At the end of each day, I always ask myself what I did for wildlife today. Without a doubt, all the work done on Game Lands and the different management techniques we use to promote native habitat for all wildlife species is very rewarding and a great way to give back.”
As a wildlife-loving state in general, oaks are one resource we certainly do not want to see extinguished. Thanks to the hard work of our local fire team members, the prominent oaks in our region, as well as their seedlings, will continue to thrive and provide for wildlife, just as they have for many generations before them.
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