DEEP to Conduct Prescribed Burns at Six Locations This Spring, Including Suffield

The Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) plans to conduct prescribed (controlled) burns at six locations this spring, weather and conditions permitting, including in the Suffield Wildlife Management Area.

Other areas include the Quinebaug River Wildlife Management Area in Plainfield, Belding Wildlife Management Area in Vernon, Goodwin State Forest in Hampton, Pachaug State Forest in Voluntown, and Mansfield Hollow State Park in Mansfield.

According to DEEP, prescribed burns are an important land management practice, and they plan and administer controlled burns annually for various purposes. Controlled burning is a valuable tool for maintaining healthy habitats and diverse vegetation, and they also reduce available fire fuels, thus reducing risk of damage should an uncontrolled wildfire occur.

The prescribed burns are being led by the DEEP Forestry Division with assistance from other fire-trained personnel in DEEP’s Wildlife, State Parks, and Support Services Divisions. DEEP Forestry Division personnel will employ a detailed burn plan to ensure effectiveness and safety.

The exact dates and times of these burns are dependent on weather.

Suffield Wildlife Management Area, Suffield (~70 acres)

The aim of this project is to manage vegetation using prescribed fire within the Suffield Wildlife Management Area, a state-owned natural area managed for wildlife conservation and wildlife-based recreation. The overall goal is to sustain and enhance sandplain grassland habitat to support grassland nesting birds like the upland sandpiper, grasshopper sparrow, eastern meadowlark, and savannah sparrow. These grassland birds are on Connecticut’s Endangered, Threatened, and Special Concern Species List.