Nov 21, 2008 7:51 pm US/Eastern
Cape Crews Set Fire To Keep Forest Healthy
CAPE COD (WBZ) ―
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A team of burn experts set some 70 acres of pitch pine forest in Bourne on fire.
Enation
It seems strange...setting a fire to keep a habitat healthy, but flames were doing just that today on Cape Cod.
A team of burn experts set some 70 acres of pitch pine forest in Bourne on fire. Among the crew was Bob Bale, a fire manager with The Nature Conservancy. According to Bob, this unique forest is one of only a few on the entire North American continent.
Even globally, these pine barrons are only found in a few locations. I couldn't help but think that the landscape looks a little shabby, but many rare and endangered species think otherwise. They call the pitch pine forest home.
Why are the fires set?
According to Bob, over many millions of years, these forests have adapted to occasional fires and now these controlled burns are central to the health and survival of this critical ecosystem.
Not only do these prescribed burns kill back invasive species, the flames also chew up fuel like dead wood and pine needles that left unchecked could result in a dangerous wildfire.
Bob noted that these pine forests are also able to withstand dry conditions and in the event that our climate does eventually turn warmer and drier, the pitch pines would be much better suited to populate the state than many other trees that live here now. "If we bring this community into the future with us, it would be able to move into the new drought conditions we might face," noted Bob.
Controlled burns help forests throughout New England Each year, thousands of acres are burned across New England for the same purpose---ecological health and the reduction of fire hazards. Most controlled fires in Massachusetts are set in the fall and spring on the Cape and Islands when weather conditions are optimum.
I had a chance to outfit up and work with Bob collecting meteorological data in the field to support burn operations. The cold temperatures in the mid 30s made for a slow burn, more controlled burn since the vegetation took time to heat up for combustion.
Moisture levels were also key today---not to dry, not too wet. According to Bob, the fuel needs to contain just the right amount so it does not burn too fast.
We recorded light winds under 5 mph. Little wind prevents the flames from spreading too fast, but Bob adds that stronger winds aloft were the perfect combination today to help ventilate the smoke, allowing it to disperse quickly.
Today was the last day of the autumn burn season and now that the fire is out, the health of the habitat will be on the rise once again.
(© MMIX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
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