Although spring heat during a dry April means outdoor burning is greatly restricted in most of New Hampshire from fear of wildfires, a number of prescribed burns are being scheduled around the state.

The burns, like one that will be held around Concord Municipal Airport sometime in the next month, are mostly designed to improve wildlife habitat. At the airport, for example, annual burns keep the ecosystem known as Concord Pine Barrens in its grassy opening stage, before woody plants take over. That system supports rare wildlife, including the federally endangered Karner blue, New Hampshire’s official state butterfly.

Concord’s prescribed burn will take place sometime between now and May 15, as weather conditions permit, within several conservation zones around Concord airport.

A similar burn is planned for blueberry barrens on Blue Job Mountain in Farmington between now and May 15.  Every few years, a portion of the barrens will be mowed to knock back young trees along the edges of the barrens. This will be followed up with a prescribed fire to help maintain wild blueberry bushes that draw people each year to pick berries. Similar fires will be set this spring at a number of locations in the White Mountain National Forest.

Aside from helping wildlife, prescribed burns can reduce the chance of wildfires through what is known as fuel management – that is, burning off brush and leaf litter on the ground in a controlled manner. This has become more common in the National Forest as the number of homes and subdivisions along the borders increases.  Mechanical treatments such as mowing and removing understory plants with saws may also be used.

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