Rachel Carson National Wildlife Refuge is working with wildland fire professionals to burn selected fields on refuge lands in Wells, Kennebunk, Biddeford and Scarborough.

Neighbors will be notified prior to conducting the prescribed fire operations. Safety is the most important factor in refuge fire operations and all of the measures listed below will be followed. The refuge has prepared a burn plan and will notify landowners and neighbors when a burn is scheduled. Refuge or cooperator fire specialists will stay on the burn unit until the fire is completely extinguished.

A prescribed fire is one that is deliberately planned and set to accomplish a specific goal. In most cases, those goals are related to enhancing wildlife habitat. All refuge prescribed burning is done with municipal permits and can only be conducted when all conditions meet predetermined conditions to be safe and achieve desired results.

Every operation has specific requirements or prescriptions, including description of area, expected weather and fire behavior, communications plans, as well as ignition plans, holding plans, contingency plans, safety plans, job hazard analysis and site specific hazard plans. Firefighters are well trained and must pass arduous physical tests as well as the National Wildfire Coordinating Group Basic Firefighter and Introduction to Wildland Fire Behavior.

The refuge and our partners realize the many benefits that fire brings to the land. Fire is the least expensive habitat manipulation tool, has the most beneficial results and is the regime with which the land evolved.

Contact Refuge Manager Ward Feurt 646-9226 or ward_feurt@fws.gov with questions.