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Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management 235 Promenade Street | Providence, RI 02908 | 401. 222. 4700 | www. dem. ri. gov | @RhodeIslandDEM CONTACT: FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Evan LaCross, 401-799-0100 Wednesday, Feb. 7, 2024 Dem. communications@ dem. ri. gov
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<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:18.0pt;font-family:"Impact",sans-serif;color:#00457A">Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif;color:#00457A">235 Promenade Street | Providence, RI 02908 | 401.222.4700 |</span><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif;color:#0070C0">
</span><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"><a href="http://www.dem.ri.gov"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif;color:#0066FF">www.dem.ri.gov</span></a></span><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif;color:#0070C0">
</span><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif;color:#00457A">| @RhodeIslandDEM</span><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif;color:#1F497D"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif">CONTACT:</span></b><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif">
<b>FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:</b><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif">Evan LaCross, 401-799-0100 Wednesday, Feb. 7, 2024<b><o:p></o:p></b></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:12.0pt"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"><a href="mailto:Dem.communications@dem.ri.gov"><span style="font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif;color:#3366FF">Dem.communications@dem.ri.gov</span></a></span><u><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif;color:#3366FF">
</span></u><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align:center"><b><span style="font-size:18.0pt;font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif">DEM POISED TO RESUME PRESCRIBED BURNS IN THE COMING WEEKS, AHEAD OF THE SPRING FIRE SEASON FOR HABITAT RESTORATION & TO REDUCE
RISK OF UNPLANNED WILDFIRES <o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
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</v:shape><![endif]--><![if !vml]><img width="378" height="490" style="width:3.9375in;height:5.1041in" src="cid:image003.png@01DA59A5.195ECC90" align="right" hspace="12" v:shapes="Picture_x0020_1"><![endif]><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif">PROVIDENCE,
RI –<span style="color:black"> </span>The Department of Environmental Management (DEM) is announcing that depending on weather and wind conditions, it plans on conducting low-severity prescribed burns on state lands on Prudence Island and in Exeter, West Greenwich,
Coventry, Richmond, and South Kingstown beginning in late winter to early spring<span style="color:black"> ahead of
</span></span><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"><a href="https://dem.ri.gov/natural-resources-bureau/agriculture-and-forest-environment/forest-environment/forest-fire-program"><span style="font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif;color:#3366FF">DEM’s
Forest Fire Program</span></a></span><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif;color:black">’s spring prescribed fire season. Prescribed, or planned, burning is a versatile tool that natural resources managers use for maintaining
habitat diversity and to protect communities from extreme fires by reducing hazardous natural fuels. DEM will advise the public again several days before it has identified a more reliable “burn window” in which to conduct a prescribed fire operation. The agency
will further notify Rhode Islanders by timely social media posts and distributing flyers to abutting landowners and neighbors.</span><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background:white;vertical-align:baseline"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif;color:black">A burn window refers to when the environmental variables such as fuel moisture and weather conditions are
balanced so that the fire will accomplish its goals, which include reducing fuels (i.e., combustible materials on forest floors and in grasslands), modifying wildlife habitat, and restoring ecological function while remaining under control. One of the biggest
factors in determining a burn window is forecasting the weather. Whereas a 10-day forecast is accurate about only half the time, a five-day forecast can accurately predict the weather around 90% of the time,
</span><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;color:black"><a href="https://urldefense.com/v3/__https://scijinks.gov/forecast-reliability/__;!!KKphUJtCzQ!PHi8Q2QvkO4Na54WPY0wDtyv96OT0ZZdGE729bxzOfJHMVPyZdKVnLieqFbHNzv7V5Jp9yetLC4nGsWeO3ap2c8FsKDi_PNPBOiC$"><span style="font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif;color:#3366FF">according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration</span> [scijinks.gov]</a></span><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif;color:black">.
Wind is an equally critical factor. DEM’s “go/no-go” decision on which of the burns to conduct will likely come down to wind speed and direction, to allow for the optimal dispersal of smoke. DEM burn managers are targeting parcels at Pratt Farm in the Arcadia
Management Area, Nicholas Farm Management Area in Coventry, Big River Management Area in West Greenwich, Prudence Island, Carolina Management Area in Richmond, and Great Swamp Management Area in South Kingstown.
</span><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background:white;vertical-align:baseline"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif">“We will be working to build upon our successful prescribed fire projects from last spring, where we applied prescribed fire treatments to over 50 acres of fire adapted
ecosystems on DEM managed lands,” said DEM Forest Fire Program Manager Pat MacMeekin. “It takes repeated implementation of prescribed fire treatments to fully restore fire adapted ecosystems. This will be the third consecutive year of good fire on the landscape,
and we intend to build on the footprints from the last two years. Although the goals of each prescribed fire project are unique to each individual property, the common goals are to reduce hazardous fuels, promote native plant species and wildlife habitat,
and to train firefighters in wildfire response.” <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><!--[if gte vml 1]><v:shape id="Picture_x0020_6" o:spid="_x0000_s1026" type="#_x0000_t75" alt="A field of yellow flowers Description automatically generated" style='position:absolute;margin-left:0;margin-top:708.95pt;width:278.5pt;height:208.75pt;z-index:-251656192;visibility:visible;mso-wrap-style:square;mso-width-percent:0;mso-height-percent:0;mso-wrap-distance-left:9pt;mso-wrap-distance-top:0;mso-wrap-distance-right:9pt;mso-wrap-distance-bottom:0;mso-position-horizontal:left;mso-position-horizontal-relative:margin;mso-position-vertical:absolute;mso-position-vertical-relative:text;mso-width-percent:0;mso-height-percent:0;mso-width-relative:page;mso-height-relative:page'>
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Description automatically generated" v:shapes="Picture_x0020_6"><![endif]><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif">Rhode
Island experienced a busy wildfire season in 2023, with DEM recording 78 wildfires encompassing 582 acres. This total includes the Congdon Mill Fire in West Greenwich that covered nearly 196 acres and the worst-in-decades Queen’s River fire in Exeter that
burnt 286 acres. These latter two fires happened back-to-back in April, with<span style="color:black">
</span></span><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"><a href="https://urldefense.com/v3/__https:/r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001yaaD0Yn4hr0nF430elvjheJduCkdbH3aEDDKVCRqlCEFsJE14bXUg6OvzbLLyM7flCQEE5lX7VU0s8ouAM4EJUu23qLd8ICEQnHujJdAmQC3vbzNDA2K_vgZT_hOrpXwP50WPTLB9cmDZKPFLqcuW8nLmObM8m9jVXuU_oIuOQMVLgbG7XmS-BVSh2P-kZkmh57mEWL5qZecz6Wo2TIcNP4y32CMOJJuwHKEDDGJlw28DO8aK3xLbYhtUeZ7Q7ufYwUMcY43OPqXTqz9JAoxxg==&c=GHiSAiaY-gUWAe2WKJc0d8LFIa-yy6ZBxjGGD4idJRxhT3y6t6i92Q==&ch=Th5BBRMhZFye78VCRIUmsZh5RRlorGD_4lwRF8rp6pV9qFDRupfXAg==__;!!KKphUJtCzQ!ItxkZsA-z3ZCy_Xkx1HCwxOSIkzWDHvXqLNz6zC1sORSrp52uKsY1-14o2EmMYjP0D0N-1PXkVAcXtY8jqXrm1vPAGMPztl_jnqH_8Sr8LiT$"><span style="font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif;color:#3366FF">DEM
leading the state’s response</span></a></span><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif;color:black">. Wildfires are expected to become more frequent in Southern New England due to climate change. DEM is responding by
</span><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"><a href="https://dem.ri.gov/press-releases/dem-announces-it-will-increase-use-prescribed-burns-2023-help-restore-native"><span style="font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif;color:#0066FF">increasing
the use of low-severity prescribed burns</span></a></span><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif;color:black"> to reduce the build-up of combustible materials on forest floors and grasslands and by
</span><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"><a href="https://dem.ri.gov/press-releases/dem-again-hosting-wildlife-firefighter-training-program-aimed-increasing-states"><span style="font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif;color:#0066FF">offering
specialized wildfire training classes</span></a></span><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif;color:black"> to build staff and volunteer capacity.</span><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif"> By
increasing its use of prescribed fire, Rhode Island is better aligning its land management policies and practices with neighboring states. Among other benefits, common ecological restoration goals with other states help to strengthen climate change resilience
across southern New England.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><i><span style="font-size:9.0pt;font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif">From burn to bloom: native pollinators and grassland habitat thrive at Pratt Farm following DEM’s prescribed burns at this location last spring.
<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif">Experts from
</span><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"><a href="https://dem.ri.gov/natural-resources-bureau/agriculture-and-forest-environment/forest-environment/forest-fire-program"><span style="font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif;color:#0066FF">DEM’s
Forest Fire Program</span></a></span><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif">, a subsidiary of the
</span><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"><a href="https://dem.ri.gov/natural-resources-bureau/agriculture-and-forest-environment"><span style="font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif;color:#0066FF;background:white">Division of
Agriculture and Forest Environment</span></a></span><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif">, will lead the prescribed burns. They
<span style="color:#0A0A0A;background:#FEFEFE">will employ detailed operational and safety plans.
</span><span style="color:#141414">Planning is critical for every burn. A prescribed burn plan developed by a qualified burn boss must be in place before a burn is conducted. Firebreaks and other site preparations are made. Fire behavior, fuels, and weather
are monitored throughout the burn, and if the prescription parameters are exceeded, the fire is shut down. The burn is carried out by a skilled crew under the direction of a qualified burn boss. Abutting landowners are notified of fire dates, reasons, and
expectations for the burn season. DEM burn managers have obtained the required local permits and
</span>an exemption from state air pollution control regulation Part 4: Open Fires (</span><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"><a href="https://rules.sos.ri.gov/regulations/Part/250-120-05-4"><span style="font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif;color:#3366FF">250-RICR-120-05-4</span></a></span><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif;color:black">)</span><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif">.
Managers also have communicated with the towns Fire Chiefs, <i><span style="color:black;background:white">Rhode Island Southern Firefighters<b>
</b>League,<b> </b></span></i>US Fish and Wildlife Service, the DEM Division of Fish & Wildlife, and the DEM Office of Air Resources.<span style="color:black">
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<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif">For more information on DEM programs and initiatives, visit
</span><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"><a href="http://www.dem.ri.gov/"><span style="font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif;color:#0066FF">www.dem.ri.gov</span></a></span><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif">.
Follow </span><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"><a href="https://urldefense.com/v3/__https://www.facebook.com/RhodeIslandDEM__;!!KKphUJtCzQ!PHi8Q2QvkO4Na54WPY0wDtyv96OT0ZZdGE729bxzOfJHMVPyZdKVnLieqFbHNzv7V5Jp9yetLC4nGsWeO3ap2c8FsKDi_AAyC_Gc$"><span style="font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif;color:#0066FF">DEM on Facebook</span> [facebook.com]</a></span><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif">,
Twitter (@RhodeIslandDEM), or Instagram (@rhodeisland.dem) for timely updates.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align:center"><b><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif">###<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Cambria",serif;color:#1F4E79;mso-ligatures:standardcontextual"><br>
Evan LaCross, MPA</span><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Cambria",serif;color:#1F4E79"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Cambria",serif;color:#1F4E79;mso-ligatures:standardcontextual">Programming Services Officer, Public Affairs<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family:"Cambria",serif;color:#004678;mso-ligatures:standardcontextual">Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Century Gothic",sans-serif;color:#767171;mso-ligatures:standardcontextual">235 Promenade Street, Providence RI 02908</span><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Century Gothic",sans-serif;color:#767171;mso-ligatures:standardcontextual"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Century Gothic",sans-serif;color:#767171;mso-ligatures:standardcontextual">401-799-0100 (c)<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-ligatures:standardcontextual"><a href="mailto:evan.lacross@dem.ri.gov"><span style="font-family:"Century Gothic",sans-serif">evan.lacross@dem.ri.gov</span></a></span><span style="font-family:"Century Gothic",sans-serif;color:gray;mso-ligatures:standardcontextual">
</span><span style="font-family:"Century Gothic",sans-serif;color:#767171;mso-ligatures:standardcontextual">(E);
</span><span style="mso-ligatures:standardcontextual"><a href="http://www.dem.ri.gov/"><span style="font-family:"Century Gothic",sans-serif;color:#767171">www.dem.ri.gov</span></a></span><span style="font-family:"Century Gothic",sans-serif;color:#767171;mso-ligatures:standardcontextual">
(W)<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><i><span style="font-size:9.0pt;font-family:"Century Gothic",sans-serif;color:#0096D2;mso-ligatures:standardcontextual">Follow DEM on
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