Planned Burn In Barrens

A section of pine barrens in Rocky Point will be set afire this spring in an effort to demonstrate the usefulness of prescribed burns in preventing widespread wildfires like those in the summer of 1995.

An informational meeting about the plan was held last night by the State Department of Environmental Conservation, which is conducting the demonstration. The prescribed burn will take place between April 25 and May 11, depending on conditions.

"The primary objective of the demonstration burn is to present prescribed burning as a tool to safely reduce fuel loads (leaf, litter, dead branches, etc.), thereby reducing future intensity of wildfires on Long Island," said Capt. Robert Conklin, a D.E.C. forest ranger, in a release.

Representatives from Long Island fire companies as well as the Long Island Pine Barrens Wildlife Task Force will observe the demonstration.