OTTAWA COUNTY, MI — Ottawa County Parks & Recreation is planning a series of prescribed burns at select park locations from Friday, May 1 through Sunday, May 3, as part of ongoing habitat management efforts.
All burns are conducted by trained professionals under specific weather conditions, including appropriate temperature, humidity, and wind.
“Prescribed fire is an essential tool for restoring fire-dependent habitats, and safety is always our top priority,” said Tyler Allyn-White, Stewardship Supervisor for Ottawa County Parks and Recreation. “Each burn is carefully planned, monitored, and carried out by trained staff.”
The tentative burn schedule is as follows (all activities are weather dependent):
Friday, May 1
- Grand River Park
- Approximately 5 acres (grassland restoration)
- Early afternoon
Saturday, May 2
- Stearns Creek South
- Approximately 5-10 acres (oak barrens restoration)
- Late morning through mid afternoon
Sunday, May 3
- Eastmanville Farm
- Approximately 10 acres (grassland restoration)
- Early afternoon
Local fire departments are notified in advance of all prescribed burns. Visitors may notice smoke in and around these park locations during scheduled times. This is expected and does not need to be reported.
Parks will remain open during the burns, but sections of some trails may be temporarily closed during operations.
What is prescribed fire and why is it used?
Prescribed fire is a land management tool used to restore fire-dependent ecosystems and promote long-term ecological health. Many native plant communities and the wildlife that rely on them depend on periodic fire to remain healthy. Without it, these systems become overgrown and lose biodiversity.
These burns help reduce woody plant growth, control invasive species, return nutrients to the soil, and promote native grasses and wildflowers that support wildlife and pollinators. The burn at Stearns Creek South is part of a broader effort to restore oak barrens, a rare natural community.
Is it safe?
Burns are planned in advance using detailed prescriptions that consider weather, fuel conditions, staffing, and safety. Conditions are closely monitored before, during, and after each burn to ensure safe and effective operations. Crews use established fire breaks and specialized equipment to keep burns contained, and each burn is overseen by a Certified Prescribed Burn Manager. Modeling tools are also used to predict smoke movement and minimize impacts to nearby residents and sensitive locations such as schools and hospitals.
For more information about prescribed fire and its role in park management, visit: news.miottawa.org/prescribed-fire
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