News Release

Prescribed fire burns planned for Saint Croix Island

Date: March 29, 2021
Contact: Michael Madell, 207 288-8701

Calais, MAINE – The National Park Service (NPS) is planning to conduct a prescribed fire at Saint Croix Island International Historic Site as potential weather opportunities come available, between April 1 and April 30, 2021, that meet the conditions established in the prescribed fire plan. The prescribed fire could be delayed until the fall if unfavorable conditions persist in April.

The purpose of the prescribed fire is to clear decaying and woody material from the island in order to preserve the open space and cultural landscape of Saint Croix Island. The introduction of fire will reduce the need for mechanical equipment while also recycling nutrients to benefit plant and animal communities on the island. By following the prescribed fire burn plan, crews will take care to minimize fire behavior around structures adjacent to the fire perimeter. The actual implementation of firing operations should take less than three hours and produce a minimal amount of smoke. The total amount of vegetation planned to be treated by fire is between 2-3 acres.

These prescribed fire burns are conducted by trained and experienced National Park Service fire personnel based at Acadia National Park under controlled conditions. Prescribed fires are ignited by fire managers, under a pre-determined set of conditions—weather, fuel moisture, and staff availability—in order to accomplish more specific resource management objectives. Prescribed fire burns may occur any time within a designated timeframe when the right conditions exist. Weather conditions are closely monitored throughout the duration of the prescribed fire burn to ensure they are completed safely. All prescribed fire burns will be conducted as interagency projects, using local support.

Before prescribed fire burns occur, the NPS will notify and coordinate with local towns and fire departments as far in advance of a prescribed fire burn as possible.

For more information on Saint Croix Island International Historic Site, please visit http://www.nps.gov/sacr or call 207-454-3871.