MDNR TO CONDUCT CONTROLLED BURN IN THE CITY OF PORTAGE TODAY!
The
Michigan Department of Natural Resources
(MDNR) will conduct a controlled burn in the Gourdneck State Game Area which is owned and maintained by the MDNR. The burn location is in the forested areas adjacent to US-131 off Vanderbilt Avenue in Portage. Residents in the area can expect to see smoke and may notice MDNR vehicles and staff controlling the burn. This is the first of two planned burns in the Gourdneck State Game Area this spring/summer.
Trained fire staff use specialized equipment to light and control the prescribed fires to control invasive species and underbrush, create critical habitat for wildlife and encourage new growth in the forested areas. Burned areas regrow quickly, providing abundant food and shelter for animals and allowing the return of native grasses and wildflowers in prairie landscapes.
Questions about this activity can be addressed by calling the MDNR at (989) 965-3333.