DEC Announces Start of Prescribed Fire Season

Prescribed Fires Improve Habitats

New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Acting Commissioner Amanda Lefton announced the agency will be conducting prescribed burns on DEC-managed land in different areas now through early May. Prescribed fire is a tool used to improve habitat for lands and wildlife and is regulated by law and regulation that require technical expertise to ensure burns are safely conducted.

“Prescribed fires are an important tool to keep New York State lands thriving and reduce fire risk,” said Acting Commissioner Lefton. “In addition to removing wood and timber litter that fuels wildfires and threatens public safety and structures, prescribed burning helps DEC achieve specific ecological goals, including eliminating invasive species and ensuring growth of fire-dependent ecosystems.”

Prescribed fires are planned in DEC’s Regions 1, 3, 4, 6, 7, and 8. 

Region 1

Otis Pike Pine Barrens State Forest – Suffolk County

Ridge Pine Barrens State Forest – Suffolk County

Rocky Point Pine Barrens State Forest – Suffolk County

David A. Sarnoff Pine Barrens State Forest – Suffolk County

Dwarf Pine Plains Pine Barrens State Forest - Suffolk County

Region 3

Lafayetteville Multiple Use Area – Dutchess County

Region 4

Albany Pine Bush Preserve – Albany County

Louise E. Keir Wildlife Management Area – Albany County

Region 6

Ashland Flats Wildlife Management Area – Jefferson County

Region 7

Cicero Swamp Wildlife Management Area - Onondaga County

Three Rivers Wildlife Management Area - Onondaga County

Long Pond State Forest - Chenango County

Region 8

Cameron State Forest – Steuben County

Canisteo River Basin Unit Management Plan - Steuben County

Helmer Creek Wildlife Management Area - Steuben County

Rush Oak Openings Unique Area - Monroe County

Sonyea State Forest - Livingston County

Coon Hollow State Forest - Schuyler County

West Cameron Wildlife Management Area - Steuben County

West Hill State Forest - Steuben County

Before any prescribed fire is conducted, a burn plan is developed that outlines land management objectives, as well as parameters that must be satisfied before any prescribed fire can take place. Careful consideration is given to environmental factors such as current and expected weather conditions and smoke management considerations in close coordination with the National Weather Service. In addition, burn plans are executed by nationally qualified burn bosses.

Prescribed burns accomplish more than simply using fire to manipulate habitat for a land management objective. The burns serve as an opportunity for DEC Forest Rangers to strengthen partnerships with different DEC divisions. Prescribed fires on DEC-managed lands allow Forest Rangers, working with the DEC Divisions of Lands and Forests, Operations, and Fish and Wildlife to train staff to become wildland firefighters, supporting efforts to implement prescribed burns in the future and in response to wildland fires.

In 2024, DEC and partner agencies burned hundreds of acres of grassland habitat and dozens of acres of forested lands. These treatments included prescribed fires on two of DEC’s largest Long Island properties, the Otis Pike Pine Barrens State Forest and Rocky Point Pine Barrens State Forest, as well as other DEC-managed properties in Regions 3, 4, 6, 7, and 8.

Prescribed burns are regulated by law and are exempt from the annual residential brush burning ban in effect from March 16 to May 14. Burn Boss and Forest Ranger Bryan Gallagher explains more about prescribed fires in a video available for download, https://www.dec.ny.gov/fs/programs/press/ForestRangers/PrescribedBurn1080p.mp4