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Along with its natural beauty, Daniel Boone National Forest – with its headquarters at 1700 Bypass Road – has long served as a recreational hotspot for Kentuckians statewide. 

Information is often released to inform the public. 

According to a recent news release, firefighters across Daniel Boone National Forest will conduct prescribed burns this spring to restore wildlife habitat, improve forest health, and reduce hazardous fuels. 

“Prescribed fire is a vital land management tool for both the Daniel Boone National Forest and other Kentucky land managers,” Ryle Benke, a Land Management Officer with Daniel Boone National Forest. “Each prescribed burn is carefully planned to remove the accumulated smaller forest litter and brush that could serve as easy fuel for a wildfire and recycle those nutrients back into the soil to promote healthy vegetation and wildlife habitat. This process is essential for certain native species, like white oak, which depend on fire to clear competing species from the area and to enrich the soil.” 

While ignited by trained professionals, prescribed burns are described as low-intensity fires designed to remove excess fuels – such as vegetation and dead would – that risk enabling wildfires to burn hotter and longer. Reducing the forest’s hazardous fuel loads help with mitigating the risk of extreme wildfire for the forest as well as neighboring communities. Prescribed burns also help reduce the spread of pest insects and disease, recycle nutrients back to the soil, and improve natural conditions for native fauna and flora. 

A team of specialists thoroughly plan and analyze all prescribed burns, ensuring that wildlife, rare plants, fisheries, and historic sites are left unharmed. Experienced fire managers closely monitor local weather conditions – including wind and humidity – and adjust the schedule when needed to ensure the safety of local citizens and crew members. Before the planned ignition of a burn, crews construct and designate firebreaks in order to ensure the fire won’t leave the burn area. 

To stay up-to-date regarding alerts with current prescribed burns at the Daniel Boone National Forest, visit the “Southern Region Prescribed Burn Accomplishment Tracker” at http://www.fs.usda.gov/goto/DBNF/PrescribedFire or follow Daniel Boone National Forest on social media @DanielBooneNF.