Single Incident Information

2024 USDA Forest Service Upper Peninsula Fire Management Unit Prescribed Fire Projects - Hiawatha NF West Zone 

All planned prescribed fires are weather-dependent and will likely be conducted between late April and early fall, when appropriate moisture, fuel and wind conditions are more likely. 

Maps for the units' possible 2024 prescribed fire are available here:

• Upper Peninsula Fire Management Map

Hiawatha National Forest West Zone Proposed Prescribed Fire Activity

Project name - Acres - Purpose of project 

Little Ridge #3, 70 acres,  Wildlife Habitat Improvement and Maintenance 

East Point #1, 48 acres, Wildlife Habitat Improvement and Maintenance 

East Point #4, 10 acres, Wildlife Habitat Improvement and Maintenance 

Pine Plains #7, 87 acres, Wildlife Habitat Improvement and Maintenance 

Pine Plains #10, 8 acres, Wildlife Habitat Improvement and Maintenance 

Ready Lake,  467 acres, Wildlife Habitat Improvement and Maintenance 

Mormon Creek,  73 acres,  Wildlife Habitat Improvement and Maintenance 

Highbridge #2,  25 acres, Wildlife Habitat Improvement and Maintenance 

Kilpecker,  25 acres,  Wildlife Habitat Improvement and Maintenance 

8 Mile Unit,  183 acres,  Wildlife Habitat Improvement and Maintenance 

Farm Field,  4 acres,  Wildlife Habitat Improvement and Maintenance 

Mike White #1,  79 acres,  Wildlife Habitat Improvement and Maintenance 

Mike White #2,  129 acres,  Wildlife Habitat Improvement and Maintenance 

Dutch Mill #3,  82 acres,  Wildlife Habitat Improvement and Maintenance 

East Lake #1, 566 acres,  Reintroduce Fire in a Fire-Dependent Ecosystem

East Lake #2,  60 acres,  Reintroduce Fire in a Fire-Dependent Ecosystem

East Lake #3,  54 acres,  Reintroduce Fire in a Fire-Dependent Ecosystem

East Lake #4,  8 acres,  Reintroduce Fire in a Fire-Dependent Ecosystem

Indian River #2,  75 acres,  Reintroduce Fire in a Fire-Dependent Ecosystem

Indian River #3,  60 acres,  Reintroduce Fire in a Fire-Dependent Ecosystem

Stueben Lake#1,  98 acres,  Reintroduce Fire in a Fire-Dependent Ecosystem

Tombolo,  34 acres, 1 Reintroduce Fire in a Fire-Dependent Ecosystem

Au Train,  170 acres,  Reintroduce Fire in a Fire-Dependent Ecosystem

Jack Pine Lodge,  30 acres,  Reintroduce Fire in a Fire-Dependent Ecosystem

Total Acres 2752

During active burning, smoke and flames may be visible from roads and in areas downwind of the burn site. Smoke may settle in some areas in the evening hours; however, ignition days and times will be adjusted to avoid smoke sensitive areas. If you have health problems that may be aggravated by smoke, please contact your nearest Zone Fire Management Officer. Affected individuals will be notified of prescribed fires that are conducted on Forest Service Lands in their vicinity the day of the burn.

• Hiawatha West Zone: Cory Henry,  (906) 474-6442 ex 1014

Prescribed burning provides benefits to our natural resources as well as reducing hazardous fuels on our National Forests. The Forest Service’s goals in burning wildlife openings are:

• Provide improved breeding and foraging habitat for early successional and cavity dependent species.
• Set back vegetative succession and maintain wildlife openings.
• Maintain burn units as part of a system of fuel breaks (including safety zones, escape routes, staging areas and control lines).
• Remove or reduce the impact of non-native invasive species.
• Reduce the risk of wildfires by reducing hazardous fuels.
• Train personnel in the use of wildland fire in a safe and efficient manner.

The Forest Service’s goals in conducting site preparation burns are:

• Naturally regenerate pine using prescribed fire.
• Kill red pinecone borer larvae.
• Stress over-story red pine to enhance cone production.
• Reduce hazardous fuel loading within unit.

Please contact your local Forest Service office (Hiawatha offices, Ottawa offices) if you have any questions.