Archived News Release: September 27, 2016 - City of Ann Arbor Natural Area Preservation (NAP) will be conducting controlled ecological burns in local natural areas between Oct. 14 and Dec. 23. Burns are only conducted on weekdays between 11 a.m. and 7 p.m., weather permitting. On the day of a controlled burn, signs will be posted around the park, and staff will be available on site for questions. The fire will be under control at all times.
Where will NAP burn?
During the fall 2016 season, NAP has permits to burn at the following city-owned sites: Barton Nature Area, Black Pond Woods Nature Area, Mary Beth Doyle Park, Oakwoods Nature Area, Olson Park, Ruthven Nature Area, South Pond Nature Area, Sugarbush Park, Turnberry Park and Veterans Memorial Park.
Why burn?
Our native Ann Arbor ecosystems are fire-dependent. Until settlers began suppressing fires in the early 1700s, fire enriched the soil and removed dead thatch, allowing diverse native plant and animal communities to thrive. Continued fire suppression has allowed fire-intolerant, non-native plant species to out compete the native, fire-adapted plants. By reintroducing fire in our parks, we are reinstating an essential ecosystem process.
What is involved in conducting burns?
NAP staff evaluates each site and develops a burn plan that provides information on the specific ecological objectives of the burn, preferred weather conditions to minimize smoke, ignition pattern, location of burn breaks to safely contain the fire, equipment, contingency plans and emergency phone numbers. City and township fire marshals review the plans before issuing the necessary permits. NAP then waits until weather conditions are within the range specified in the burn plan before proceeding.
How can you get more information?
Because burns are weather-dependent, NAP is unable to schedule them in advance for specific days. If you would like to be called on the day of a burn near you, please call NAP and leave us your name, daytime phone number and street address. NAP also posts day-of-burn information on Twitter at www.twitter.com/a2NAP and on Facebook at www.facebook.com/ann.arbor.nap
A public meeting and Q & A on controlled burns will be held Thursday, Oct. 13, 7– 8:30 p.m., at the Natural Area Preservation office, 3875 East Huron River Drive. If you are unable to attend and would like to learn more, contact NAP at 734.794.6627, email [email protected], or visit a2gov.org/NAPburn.
All persons are encouraged to participate in public meetings. Accommodations, including sign language interpreters, may be arranged by contacting the City Clerk's office at 734.794.6140; via email to: [email protected]; or by written request addressed and mailed or delivered to: City Clerk's Office, 301 E. Huron St., Ann Arbor, MI 48104. Requests made with less than two business days notice may not be able to be accommodated.
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