Prescribed Fires Improve Habitats

New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Commissioner Amanda Lefton today announced the agency will be conducting prescribed burns on certain DEC-managed lands from now through early May. Prescribed fire is a tool used to improve habitat for lands and wildlife. It is regulated by law and regulation, requiring technical expertise to conduct these burns safely. 

“Prescribed fires are used to reduce the buildup of wood and timber litter to prevent wildfires that would threaten public safety and structures,” said Commissioner Lefton.“It is also an important land management tool that helps DEC achieve specific ecological goals, including eliminating habitat for invasive species.” 

Prescribed fires are planned in many regions of the state, specifically, DEC’s Regions 1, 3, 4, 6, 7, and 8.

Region 1 
Otis Pike Pine Barrens State Forest – Suffolk County 

Ridge Pine Barrens State Forest – Suffolk County 

Rocky Point Pine Barrens State Forest – Suffolk County 

David A. Sarnoff Pine Barrens State Forest – Suffolk County 

Dwarf Pine Plains Pine Barrens State Forest - Suffolk County 

Region 3 
Lafayetteville Multiple Use Area – Dutchess County 

Region 4 
Albany Pine Bush Preserve – Albany County 

Region 6 
Wilson Hill Wildlife Management Area – St. Lawrence County 

Region 7 
Three Rivers Wildlife Management Area - Onondaga County 

Cicero Swamp Wildlife Management Area - Onondaga County 

Long Pond State Forest - Chenango County 

Region 8 
Cameron State Forest – Steuben County 

Canisteo River Basin Unit Management Plan - Steuben County 

Helmer Creek Wildlife Management Area - Steuben County 

Rush Oak Openings Unique Area - Monroe County 

Sonyea State Forest - Livingston County 

Coon Hollow State Forest - Schuyler County 

West Cameron Wildlife Management Area - Steuben County 

West Hill State Forest - Steuben County 

Before any prescribed fire is conducted, a burn plan is developed that outlines land management objectives, as well as parameters that must be satisfied before any prescribed fire can take place. 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. In addition, burn plans are executed by nationally qualified?burn bosses. 

Prescribed burns accomplish more than simply using fire to manipulate habitat for a land management objective. The burns serve as an opportunity for DEC Forest Rangers to develop partnerships among different DEC divisions. Prescribed fires on DEC-managed lands allow Forest Rangers, working with the DEC Divisions of Lands and Forests, Operations, and Fish and Wildlife to train more staff to become wildland firefighters, supporting efforts to implement future prescribed burns and wildland fire responses. 

In 2025, DEC and partner agencies burned more than 1,600 acres of grassland and woodland habitats. These treatments included prescribed fires on two of DEC’s largest Long Island properties, the Otis Pike Pine Barrens State Forest and the Rocky Point Pine Barrens State Forest, as well as other DEC-managed properties in Regions 3, 4, 6, 7, and 8 

Prescribed burns are regulated by law, and they are exempt from the annual residential brush burn ban in effect from March 16 to May 14. Burn Boss Forest Ranger Bryan Gallagher explains more about prescribed fires in a video available for download: https://www.dec.ny.gov/fs/programs/press/ForestRangers/PrescribedBurn1080p.mp4