(WWJ) If you see some smoke in the area of Highland Township, Hudson Township or Summerfield Township on Friday, there is no need to be alarmed.
The Michigan Department of Natural Resources has announced three prescribed burns scheduled in Southeast Michigan on April 15, to help remove invasive species and improve habit for wildlife, including the endangered Karner blue butterfly.
The burns include the following (all information from the DNR):
◉ 20 acres in Oakland County's Highland Township. The burn is expected to stimulate growth and seed production of native Big Bluestem and Indian Grass, as well as to reduce thatch, the intermingled layer of living and dead grass between actively growing grass and the soil. The burn is expected to begin about 1 p.m.
◉ 22 acres in Lenawee County's Hudson Township. The burn will blacken the site to facilitate chemical treatments. It also should stimulate warm-season grasses and reduce invasive weeds. It's scheduled to begin at about 3 p.m.
◉ Five acres in Monroe County's Summerfield Township. The burn is scheduled to begin around 5 p.m. and is designed to provide appropriate habitat for the endangered Karner blue butterfly. The burn also is expected to benefit white-tailed deer and wild turkeys.
Prescribed burns are one way the Michigan DNR keeps lands and forests healthy.
The DNR said 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.
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, officials added.
The "Prescribed Burns" story map – including stories, photos and videos – takes a detailed look at how prescribed burns work. For more information on the DNR's fire management activity, visit Michigan.gov/FireManagement.
