As previously announced, Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest fire crews are planning to conduct a prescribed burn on 195 acres of National Forest lands following a recent timber harvest south and west of the Namekagon Town Hall.  The purpose of prescribed burn is to promote the regeneration of red oak, while retaining mature trees as a seed source.  The low intensity ground fire will consume logging slash on the forest floor, creating an ideal seedbed for acorns this fall.

The prescribed burn is planned for Monday, May 14 – depending on conditions. 

Some CAMBA trails within the Namekagon Trail Cluster (parts of Namekagon and Patsy Lake Trails EAST of FR 203/Lost Land Lake Rd.) will be temporarily closed during and immediately after burning operations.  Temporary trail closures will be in place (barriers, signs and staffed by a firefighter during operations). Riders must heed the closures and not ride into an active burn unit until it is declared out, which may take several days. Please watch for and respect trail closures as they are in place for your safety. Announcements will be posted when it is OK to re-enter the area.

Visitors can expect to see fire personnel in the vicinity of the Namekagon Town Hall, and there is potential for smoke in the area.  Fire personnel will be on site monitoring the prescribed burn for several days.

The remainder of the Namakagon Cluster including the Rock Lake Trail/Hildebrand Lake Loop and Namakagon and Patsy Lake Trails WEST of FR 203 will remain open. Expect increased vehicular traffic on FR 203 on Monday and into the week.

After the fire lines have been secured and the burn declared out, visitors can watch Mother Nature take over and transform black into green as a new crop of red oak seedlings take hold.

During the next 3-5 years, a second burn is planned in the same area to reduce competition with the hardy fire resilient oak, allowing the young trees to grow taller.

For more information about the prescribed burn, please contact the Great Divide Ranger District at 715-634-4821.