Wildland Fire Management

Wildland fire is a natural part of a thriving ecosystem.

NPS

Wildland fire is an important part of the ecosystem of Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore. Wildland fire can aid in the natural management and growth of vegetation, providing food and shelter to wildlife. In some cases, the wildland fire management team conducts planned (or prescribed) burns to help mother nature along. Fire management crews also respond to unplanned fires and are responsible for providing education to the public in an attempt to limit the number of unplanned ignitions within the boundaries of the lakeshore. These efforts aim to ensure the safety and health of area resources, wildlife, communities, and people.

Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore is located on the southern shore of Lake Superior. Approximately 80% of the forests in the park are northern hardwood forests dominated by American beech, sugar maple, red maple, white pine, yellow birch, and eastern hemlock. Due to the cool and moist climate, these forests are called “asbestos” forests since fires are so rare. Major fires can be as seldom as every 1000 to 2000 years. When fires do occur, they are almost always associated with a wind event that brings down large areas of forest. Fires in these blown over forests are very hot and can destroy much of the seed stored in the soil. Therefore, the new forest must regenerate from seed from outside the stand.

The pine forests at the lakeshore occur on drier soils and are dominated by red, white, or jack pine or some combination of the three with oak playing a secondary role. These forest types depend on fire for their persistence, however on very sandy soils with harsh conditions they can persist without fire for long periods without invasion from northern hardwood trees. Fires in pine forests across the Great Lakes Region generally occur every 20 – 40 years. This varies from place to place due to weather, surrounding forests, and human activity in the area.

In the past many of the fires in these pine forests may have been started by Native Americans to increase berry production and improve hunting. When burned frequently, fires tended to be mild with small pockets of more intense fire. These fires cause little damage to the overstory trees and lead to a “park-like” stand of tall pines with few lower branches and little brush. If left unburned for long periods, the forests will, depending on the soil conditions, convert to more mesic (moderately moist) forest type - or will become crowded with spruce and fir and accumulations of wood and litter, leading to severe fires that will kill much of the stand.

 

How You Can Help

Help protect Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore from accidental wildfires that can cause harm to wildlife, resources, and people. Our Fire Prevention and Education page has information about fire safety, how to prevent wildfires, and educational resources about the National Park Service's fire management plan.

 

Great Lakes Fire Management Zone

Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore is also part of the Great Lakes Fire Management Zone. The Great Lakes program oversees fire operations at 13 National Park Service sites in the Midwest. Use the interactive story map to learn more about the different parks that the program services.

 

 

These park units include: Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore, Lincoln Boyhood National Memorial, Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore, St Croix National Scenic Riverway, George Rogers Clark National Historic Park, Lincoln Home National Historic Site, Ronald Reagan Boyhood Home National Historic Site, Pullman National Monument, River Raisin National Battlefield Park, Ice Age National Scenic Trail, North Country National Scenic Trail, and the Mississippi National River Recreation Area.