NEWS RELEASES
Michigan DNR Sets Prescribed Burn For History
Editor's Note: This news item was retrieved through MI DNR's website.
Firefighters led by the Michigan Department of Natural Resources (DNR) conducted a prescribed burn last week at Fayette Historic State Park in Delta County. The intentionally set fire was the first used by the Michigan DNR for historical purposes. Thirteen DNR firefighters were working on the prescribed burn, assisted by Fayette park staff and a half-dozen firefighters from the Garden Township Fire Department. Fayette Historic State Park features a 19th century town site, once a busy iron smelting community surrounding Snail Shell Harbor, with more than 20 historic buildings standing, as well as a modern campground, harbor slips, a boat launch, beach and 5 miles of hiking and cross-country skiing trails, with impressive views from the limestone cliffs that surround the harbor.
In addition to creating open space for historical purposes, prescribed burns are conducted to help with enhancing wildlife habitat, forest regeneration, restoring and maintaining native plant life, controlling invasive plant species and reducing the risk of wildfires. "Burning this 5 acres of 15 prescribed cleared brush and woody vegetation, including ground juniper and cedar, re-opening what would have been the infield of the half-mile, oval-shaped horse-racing track," said Randy Brown, park manager, in a press release. "The area burned is located southeast of the historic town site at the the park. The open area better replicates conditions present during the years the town was bustling in the 1800s." For more information on the 711-acre Fayette Historic State Park, visit the Sate of Michigan website.
To view a complete press release from MI DNR, click here.