Rhode Island Using Planned Fires To Prevent Large Wildfires

RHODE ISLAND — The Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management (DEM) said it will increase the use of planned burnings to reduce the buildup of combustible materials in forests and grasslands, making destructive wildfires less likely.

In 2022, which was marked by a severe drought, Rhode Island experienced more than 80 wildfires, according to DEM officials. The drought forced DEM to ban outdoor fires at all state campgrounds, parks and management areas for a two-week period in August.

DEM officials said planned burning is a versatile tool that natural resources managers use for maintaining habitat and plant diversity. Along with protecting human communities from extreme fires by reducing hazardous natural fuels, the right fire at the right place and right time helps to:

• Remove invasive and unwanted plant species that threaten ecosystems
• Slow the spread of pest insects and disease
• Restore native ecosystems such as pitch pine barrens, pine-oak woodlands, and maritime grasslands and shrublands
• Promote the growth of native warm season grasses and wildflowers to diversify pollinator habitats
• Recycle essential nutrients back into the soil
• Train municipal and wildland firefighters in the methods and techniques of suppressing wildfires.

DEM has burn plans in place for four areas starting this spring and stretching into the fall:

• Dutch Island, Jamestown, where DEM conducted its last prescribed burn in March 2022
• Nicholas Farm Management Area, Coventry
• Pratt Farm, Arcadia Management Area, Exeter
• Prudence Island, Portsmouth

"Prescribed fire is an important land management practice DEM uses to restore degraded forestlands, promote diverse wildlife habitats, and remove hazardous fuels to protect rural communities from wildfires," Pat MacMeekin, the forest fire program manager for DEM said. "We are working to return fire to the landscape where appropriate, to improve Rhode Island's ecological systems and increase public safety."

By increasing its use of prescribed fire, Rhode Island will be better aligning its land management policies and practices with neighboring states, state officials said.

From 2018 to 2022, Massachusetts ignited 223 prescribed fires totaling 7,148 acres and Connecticut had 18 prescribed fires totaling 300 acres. In the same five-year period, Rhode Island conducted three prescribed fires totaling around 75 acres.

Experts from DEM's Forest Fire Program will lead the prescribed burns. They will employ detailed operational and safety plans, DEM officials said.

A prescribed burn plan developed by a qualified burn boss must be in place before a burn is conducted. Firebreaks and other site preparations are made. Fire behavior, fuels, and weather are monitored throughout the burn, and if the prescription parameters are exceeded, the fire is shut down. A permit is also required from the town's fire chief.