Prescribed burns have been scheduled to take place from October to November throughout Monroe County.
According to the Pocono Record, these burns will take place at State Game Land, Bethlehem Water Authority public access property, as well as places along both Luzerne and Bradford counties.
The exact timing for these fires has not been decided since factors such as ground moisture, vegetation, and weather need to be taken into consideration. It has been confirmed that fires won’t be taking place on weekends or from Oct. 19-26 to ensure no open fires are lit while people are hunting.
Prescribed burns are used to promote forest regeneration by training the bark of a tree to grow stronger. As a result, the chance of an uncontrolled fire is reduced. These fires can also stop the spread of pests and invasive species, improve habitats of endangered species, and provide soil with nutrients as explained by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA).
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For a map of the scheduled burn areas, click here.