(WWJ) If you spot a grass fire today, you may not need to call 911.
The Michigan Department of Natural Resources said prescribed burns are scheduled in three counties on Wednesday to help improve habitat for wildlife — including on more than two dozen acres of land in Oakland County.
DNR crews were scheduled to begin burning at around 12:30 p.m. on April 19, on 33 acres in Highland Township, which is located north of Milford in western Oakland County.
The purpose of the Highland Township burn is to stimulate native prairie grass to benefit grassland birds, the DNR said.
Meanwhile, in Washtenaw County, the DNR said a burn of nine acres in Sylvan Township, near Chelsea, is expected to reduce invasive weeds and stimulate planted prairie grasses. That burn was set to begin around 3 p.m.
Also Wednesday, over in Allegan County, two burns were scheduled in Clyde Township.
The DNR said its fire staff planned to burn 127 acres, starting around 10:30 a.m. The second burn, including 29 acres, was scheduled to begin at 1 p.m. The purpose of both of these burns is to rejuvenate grasses and set back encroachment of woody plants to benefit grasslands birds and rabbits, the DNR said.
Prescribed burns are one way the Michigan Department of Natural Resources keeps lands and forests healthy. The burns are conducted by highly trained DNR personnel in designated state-managed areas during appropriate weather conditions and in cooperation with the proper authorities and local units of government, the DNR said.
Public safety is a top priority during all prescribed burns, which sometimes are canceled at the last minute due to careful monitoring of weather and wind conditions.
The public can check out the DNR's "Prescribed Burns" story map – including stories, photos and videos – for a detailed look at how prescribed burns work. For more information on the DNR's fire management activity, visit this link.
