The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation is conducting controlled burns across the state to reduce wildfire risks and improve wildlife habitat, according to a community announcement.
The prescribed fires, which will take place through early May, are planned for DEC-managed lands in regions including Suffolk, Dutchess, Albany, St. Lawrence, Onondaga, Chenango, Steuben, Monroe, Livingston and Schuyler counties.
DEC Commissioner Amanda Lefton said the burns are a proactive measure to prevent wildfires and support land management goals.
“Prescribed fires are used to reduce the buildup of wood and timber litter to prevent wildfires that would threaten public safety and structures,” Lefton said in the announcement. “It is also an important land management tool that helps DEC achieve specific ecological goals, including eliminating habitat for invasive species.”
A previous prescribed fire conducted by New York State Department of Environmental Conservation on the Canisteo River Basin Unit Management Plan in Steuben County.
Where prescribed burns are happening in New York state
The prescribed burns are planned for the following areas.
Region 8
Cameron State Forest – Steuben County
Canisteo River Basin Unit Management Plan – Steuben County
Helmer Creek Wildlife Management Area – Steuben County
Rush Oak Openings Unique Area – Monroe County
Sonyea State Forest – Livingston County
Coon Hollow State Forest – Schuyler County
West Cameron Wildlife Management Area – Steuben County
West Hill State Forest – Steuben County
More: Wildfire in Bath highlights importance of spring brush burn ban | DEC
Region 1
Otis Pike Pine Barrens State Forest – Suffolk County
Ridge Pine Barrens State Forest – Suffolk County
Rocky Point Pine Barrens State Forest – Suffolk County
David A. Sarnoff Pine Barrens State Forest – Suffolk County
Dwarf Pine Plains Pine Barrens State Forest – Suffolk County
Region 3
Lafayetteville Multiple Use Area – Dutchess County
Region 4
Albany Pine Bush Preserve – Albany County
Region 6
Wilson Hill Wildlife Management Area – St. Lawrence County
Region 7
Three Rivers Wildlife Management Area – Onondaga County
Cicero Swamp Wildlife Management Area – Onondaga County
Long Pond State Forest – Chenango County
More: NYS burns hundreds of acres annually with prescribed fire. Landowners want OK to do same.
What to know about prescribed burns
Prescribed burns are carefully planned and executed operations, according to the announcement. Before any fire is set, a detailed burn plan is developed that outlines land management objectives and specifies the conditions that must be met for the burn to proceed.
Environmental factors, such as current and expected weather conditions and smoke management, are considered in coordination with the National Weather Service. The burns are carried out by nationally qualified “burn bosses,” ensuring they are conducted safely and effectively.
A controlled fire burns in the Steuben County Town of Cameron as part of an effort to improve habitat for threatened timber rattlesnakes.
In addition to their immediate ecological benefits, prescribed burns provide valuable training opportunities for DEC Forest Rangers and other staff. The burns help develop partnerships among different DEC divisions and train more staff to become wildland firefighters, supporting efforts to implement future prescribed burns and wildland fire responses, according to the announcement.
In 2025, DEC and partner agencies burned more than 1,600 acres of grassland and woodland habitats. These treatments included prescribed fires on two of DEC’s largest Long Island properties, the Otis Pike Pine Barrens State Forest and the Rocky Point Pine Barrens State Forest, as well as other DEC-managed properties in various regions.
Prescribed burns are regulated by law and are exempt from the annual residential brush burn ban in effect from March 16 to May 14.
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This article originally appeared on The Evening Tribune: New York state DEC plans controlled burns to reduce wildfire risk