GLADSTONE — The USDA Forest Service – Hiawatha National Forest announced this week that conditions are favorable to conduct prescribed fire operations.

Operations will be conducted at either the Paula Red site or the Jonathan site, and smoke may be visible along M-28 between Eckerman Corner and Raco. Flying drones around fire operations is strictly prohibited. 

The USDA Forest Service announced back in April that the Upper Peninsula Fire and Aviation Management Unit was preparing for prescribed fire operations on the Hiawatha and Ottawa National Forests. This includes 7.042 acres on the East Zone and 3,248 acres on the West Zone of the Hiawatha National Forest, and 587 acres on the Ottawa National Forest. 

The Forest Service says that these prescribed fires reduce risk to the public by removing hazardous vegetation to mitigate wildfires and prevent loss of property. They also help re-establish fire’s positive role in local ecosystems, increase native plant regeneration, and improve wildlife habitat and forest health. 

During active burning, smoke and flames may be visible from roads and in areas downwind of the burn site. For information about air quality, please visit the fire.airnow.gov website or contact your nearest Ranger District to be notified of prescribed fires in your vicinity on the day of the burn. 

Updated information on the prescribed burns can also be found online at inciweb.wildfire.gov. Contact information for your local Ranger District office can also be found on the above websites. An online map of the plan is also available at usfs.maps.arcgis.com/apps/instant/sidebar/index.html?appid=0b202f990a244b669a85acff82bc66c5. 

The Ottawa National Forest Supervisor’s Office can be reached at 906-932-1330. The Hiawatha National Forest Supervisor’s Office can be reached at 906-428-5800.