Forest prescribed burns planned

The U.S. Forest Service/Shawnee National Forest plans to burn about 4,700 acres in several prescribed fire projects during the coming fiscal year.

The projects will take place depending on funding and weather and fuel conditions, the Forest Service reported. 

The burns will be conducted under controlled conditions between October and May 2012.

The Forest Service stated that the purpose of the projects is to:

•Stimulate growth of native vegetation positively adapted to fire, and impede vegetation that is not.

•Improve wildlife habitat.

•Improve the visual quality of the area.

•Reduce the likelihood and severity of a wildfire, which will increase safety for the public and firefighters in case of a wildfire.

For more information about the prescribed burns, contact Scott Crist or Bob Little in the Shawnee National Forest supervisor’s office at 618-253-7114, or visit the forest’s website for updated information at <a href="http://www.fs.fed.us/r9/Shawnee">www.fs.fed.us/r9/Shawnee</a>.