Forest Rangers Stage Prescribed Fires At Preserve

RIVERHEAD, NY — The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation staged some controlled fires in Riverhead recently.

According to the New York State DEC, on April 11 and April 16, forest rangers, with the assistance of a multi-agency fire crew, conducted prescribed fires on the Otis Pike Preserve. A total of 38 acres were treated through prescribed fire. Staff from DEC’s divisions of forest protection, fish and wildlife, and lands and forests came together with DEC volunteers and Central Pine Barrens Commission staff to safely execute the burns, the DEC said.

Both burns were done to top kill invading woody shrubs and pitch pines invading the fields to maintain and promote habitat for grassland nesting birds, the DEC said.

In 2018, DEC forest rangers conducted 346 search and rescue missions, extinguished 105 wildfires that burned a total of 845 acres, participated in 24 prescribed fires that burned and rejuvenated 610 acres, and worked on cases that resulted in 2,354 tickets or arrests, the DEC said.

"Across New York, DEC forest rangers are on the front lines helping people safely enjoy the great outdoors," said DEC Commissioner Basil Seggos. "Their knowledge of first aid, land navigation, and technical rescue techniques are critical to the success of their missions, which take them from remote wilderness areas with rugged mountainous peaks, to white-water rivers, and throughout our vast forested areas statewide."