Quote:
Originally Posted by Mr. Sandman
Saw the guys that did the burn this morning on the boat. Personally I am not a fan of controlled burns and don't buy-in on their concept for our region. I think they ruined chappy by burning and believe it aggravates the erosion process we already have.
Anyway, I asked them why they do this and got the standard invasive species and undesired growth story...then I said but it looks like hell for decade after...no response. Hey... I said, you know I think seals are an invasive species, why don't you kill off a few acres of them?  |
A controlled burn/prescribed fire is actually very good for the forests in this region. The sand plain, which the state forest on MV is located on, has Pitch pine,scrub oak and huckleberry that are all fire adapted species, meaning they need periodic fire for their health and reproduction. It also lessens the wildfire danger by getting rid of overgrown vegetation, which in case of the State Forest on the Vineyard is top priority. There have been many wildfires in past history= mostly in Edgartown and West Tisbury,that exceeded a 1000 acres.The biggest fire, which scorched 8000 in mid 1940s- burning from Deep Bottom into Katama....no houses...no big deal...now, 2010 it would be a completely different story. So there is a definite need for controlled burns....to protect residential areas from wildfires. As far as the forest looking like sh*t after a burn.....I just dont see this and have observed fires where after 3 years the flame scars are almost unnoticeable. DCR Fire Control, the agency that manages fires in the state forest avoid burning under extreme fire danger/conditions but burn when things are somewhat moister and "mellow" from a fire behavior standpoint.
You sure you talked with someone from the burn? These guys could have gave you a straight answer to any of your questions.
Heres a pic of a 2000 acre wildfire on the Cape-Otis/Sandwich area in 1988. Controlled burns are used to prevent such fires and the Feds. run a controlled burn program on Camp Edwards as well.