Rhode Island To Resume Prescribed Burns On State Lands In 7 Communities

PROVIDENCE, RI — The Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management plans to resume low-severity prescribed burns on state lands in Exeter, West Greenwich, Coventry, Richmond, Glocester, Jamestown and South Kingstown.

Weather permitting, the first prescribed burns of 2026 will begin this week, according to DEM.

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The agency said prescribed, or planned, burns depend on weather and wind conditions and are typically announced a day in advance. DEM said it will provide additional public notice through social media, website updates and flyers to nearby landowners once a burn window has been identified.

According to DEM, a burn window occurs when fuel, moisture and weather conditions align to safely meet management goals, including fuel reduction, habitat improvement and ecological restoration. The agency said prescribed burns help maintain healthy habitats and reduce hazardous fuels, which protects communities from extreme wildfires.

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DEM burn managers are targeting parcels at Durfee Hill Management Area in Glocester, Arcadia Management Area in Exeter, Nicholas Farm Management Area in Coventry, Big River Management Area in West Greenwich, Dutch Island in Jamestown, Carolina Management Area in Richmond and Great Swamp Management Area in South Kingstown.

DEM said climate change is increasing wildfire risk by creating warmer, drier conditions and longer fire seasons. In 2025, Rhode Island experienced 62 wildfires, and DEM’s Forest Fire Program conducted 12 prescribed burns treating more than 100 acres of state land, according to the agency.

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The department also said it continues shaded fuelbreak brush-clearing projects to reduce the risk of uncontrolled wildfires. By expanding the use of prescribed fire, DEM said its land management policies and practices are better aligned with neighboring states and strengthen regional ecological restoration and climate resilience.

The prescribed burns will be led by experts from DEM’s Forest Fire Program, according to the agency. DEM said burn crews will use detailed operational and safety plans, and that fire behavior, fuels and weather are monitored throughout each burn. If the prescription parameters are exceeded, the fire is shut down, according to DEM.

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No specific burn dates were announced in the release beyond the possibility of activity beginning this week. DEM said public notice will follow once a burn window is identified for each site.

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