Suffield Wildlife Management Area Subject Of Upcoming Controlled Burn

SUFFIELD, CT — The Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) plans to conduct prescribed, or controlled, burns at six locations this spring, weather and conditions permitting. Included in the plan is the Suffield Wildlife Management Area off Babbs Road.

The aim of this project is to manage about 70 acres of vegetation using prescribed fire within the Suffield Wildlife Management Area, a state-owned natural area managed for wildlife conservation and wildlife-based recreation. The overall goal is to sustain and enhance sandplain grassland habitat to support grassland nesting birds like the upland sandpiper, grasshopper sparrow, eastern meadowlark, and savannah sparrow. These grassland birds are on Connecticut's Endangered, Threatened, and Special Concern Species List.

According to the DEEP, prescribed burns are an important land management practice, and DEEP plans and administers controlled burns annually for various purposes. Controlled burning is a valuable tool for maintaining healthy habitats and diverse vegetation. For example, it helps maintain grassland and shrubland habitat for species that are declining in Connecticut due to a loss of farmland and early successional habitat, helps maintain pitch pine sand plain forest (one of the state's most imperiled ecosystems), and can assist with forestry objectives such as oak regeneration. Controlled burns also reduce available fire fuels, thus reducing risk of damage should an uncontrolled wildfire occur.

The prescribed burns are being led by the DEEP Forestry Division with assistance from other fire-trained personnel in DEEP’s Wildlife, State Parks, and Support Services Divisions. DEEP Forestry Division personnel will employ a detailed burn plan to ensure effectiveness and safety. Plans have been communicated to corresponding municipal leaders and fire departments.

Areas will be closed on the days of the burns, and signage will be posted. The public may observe smoke because of the burns. Weather conditions will be monitored and a Go/No Go evaluation will be conducted for each burn on the day of ignition.