The Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest, along with their interagency partners and neighbors, plans to implement prescribed fire projects, as weather and fuels conditions allow. 

Public and firefighter safety is the top priority in all prescribed fire operations. Fire managers develop burn plans accounting for safety, specific fuel and weather prescriptions, and smoke management. Prior to implementation, local fire managers coordinate with local cooperators, counties, and partners.  All prescribed burns are closely evaluated and are only approved when favorable conditions are present.

Benefits of prescribed fire as a forest management tool:

• Protects communities and infrastructure by reducing hazardous fuels and the risk of future high-intensity wildfires.
• Mitigates future wildfire risk and promote resilient fire-adapted landscapes.
• Reduces build-up of flammable vegetation, dead and down trees, and overgrowth.
• Improves and supports wildlife habitat for many species on the Forest.
• Limits the spread of invasive plant species and minimizes the spread of pest insects and disease, maintaining native ecosystems.
• Recycles nutrients back into the soil.
• Promotes the growth of trees, plants, wildflowers, and other flora and fauna.
• Continues the historic, natural fire regime of periodic disturbance by fire in forested ecosystems. 

Prescribed fires are planned for various units across the Forest; however, the window of opportunity for prescribed fire implementation is affected by several factors. Safety factors, weather conditions, air quality, personnel availability, and environmental regulations are continually monitored before implementation to determine feasibility of moving forward with the prescribed fire operations, during implementation, and after completion of the unit(s).