Prescribed Fire Occurring as Soon as February 27 Will Improve Wetland Habitat Within WMA

The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) announced the agency will conduct a prescribed burn at Wilson Hill Wildlife Management Area, in the town of Louisville, St. Lawrence County. The prescribed burn is weather dependent but planned for Friday, February 27, with additional prescribed burns being considered for the week of March 1, or in early spring. 

Wilson Hill WMA is a 4,000-acre open water wetland adjacent to the St. Lawrence River, that consists of several large open water pools of approximately 1,800 acres bordered by cattail, shrub swamp, forest, and meadows. Being in proximity to the St. Lawrence River, the area is ideal for nesting and migrating waterfowl and the wetlands serve as spawning habitat for important fish species. It is not uncommon to find 15 to 20 different species of waterfowl on the area during the spring and fall migrations. The shallow impoundments of the area provide habitat for dabbling ducks, diving ducks, and geese. In addition to waterfowl, there are raptors and the emergent marsh supports an abundance of wetland furbearers.

Prescribed burning is an important management tool employed to achieve specific ecological goals and to maintain habitat.  The primary focus of this winter prescribed fire is to help control emergent aquatic vegetation (non-native invasive Phragmites) by reducing biomass and stressing the root system--giving native vegetation a chance to reestablish in the shallow marshes and  shoreline wetlands. Invasive Phragmites forms extremely dense patches that are many acres in size, and that are impenetrable to fish, turtles, and other wildlife.  Burning to remove the previous year’s dead growth will also make continued treatment easier and safer for the habitat managers. Phragmites tower 8 to 12 feet over the surface of the frozen wetlands, and the late winter prescribed fire will help remove the dead leaves and stalks. 

Prescribed burning activities are planned and overseen by DEC Forest Rangers and conducted by trained and experienced personnel in strict accordance with the provisions of a detailed burn plan and under New York State law. Careful consideration is given to environmental factors such as current and expected weather conditions and smoke management considerations in close coordination with the National Weather Service. These burn plans are executed by nationally certified burn bosses. Every burn boss in DEC is a fully credentialed and certified Forest Ranger.

While DEC makes the necessary notifications before conducting any prescribed fires, the public is encouraged to report smoke columns to local authorities. More information on wildfire prevention may be found on the FIREWISE New York webpage.

Although prescribed burns will be happening across the state with multiple trained wildland firefighters on hand, an annual residential brush burn ban is in effect from March 16 to May 14. Open burning of debris is the single-largest cause of spring wildfires in New York State. When temperatures warm and the past fall's debris and leaves dry out, wildfires can start and spread easily, further fueled by winds and a lack of green vegetation. Each year, DEC Forest Rangers extinguish dozens of wildfires that burn hundreds of acres. In addition, local fire departments, many of which are staffed by volunteers, all too often have to leave their jobs and families to respond to wildfires caused by illegal debris fires. DEC will post the Fire Danger Map for the 2026 fire season on DEC's website once there is a moderate risk anywhere in New York.

For information regarding the upcoming prescribed burn, contact DEC at information.r6@dec.ny.gov.