Prescribed burns fire-harden stands of red pine, like the Otter Creek unit, and make them more resilient to future forest fires. It also encourages the development of fire-loving woodland ecological communities, increasing landscape diversity and productivity. Image: Lane Johnson

Prescribed burns fire-harden stands of red pine, like the Otter Creek unit, and make them more resilient to future forest fires. It also encourages the development of fire-loving woodland ecological communities, increasing landscape diversity and productivity. Image: Lane Johnson

In September 2024, firing specialists from TNC, FDL, and BIA assess the test fire for the Camp 8 unit and give the team the all-clear to move forward with burning. Test fires are used prior to moving forward with ignitions across the burn unit to check that the fire behavior - interactions of weather, fuels, and fire - will meet the prescription. Image: Kyle Gill

In September 2024, firing specialists from TNC, FDL, and BIA assess the test fire for the Camp 8 unit and give the team the all-clear to move forward with burning. Test fires are used prior to moving forward with ignitions across the burn unit to check that the fire behavior - interactions of weather, fuels, and fire - will meet the prescription. Image: Kyle Gill

In this historical photo, fire-shaped open pine woodland conditions are seen at the CFC circa 1920s. Before colonization, the Ojibwe used planned fire to perpetuate and enhance landscape conditions necessary for survival. One of the main objectives in CFC’s current Burn Plan is to reintroduce fire-maintained pine woodlands that support a culturally important suite of fire-dependent species and set the stage for new generations of red and jack pine over the long term. Image: Carlton County Historical Society

In this historical photo, fire-shaped open pine woodland conditions are seen at the CFC circa 1920s. Before colonization, the Ojibwe used planned fire to perpetuate and enhance landscape conditions necessary for survival. One of the main objectives in CFC’s current Burn Plan is to reintroduce fire-maintained pine woodlands that support a culturally important suite of fire-dependent species and set the stage for new generations of red and jack pine over the long term. Image: Carlton County Historical Society

Prescribed burns consume forest litter, duff, and woody debris. Heat from the fire kills fire-sensitive species and creates space for fire-dependent plants and, over time, the optimal conditions for the natural regeneration of pine. Image: Lane Johnson

Prescribed burns consume forest litter, duff, and woody debris. Heat from the fire kills fire-sensitive species and creates space for fire-dependent plants and, over time, the optimal conditions for the natural regeneration of pine. Image: Lane Johnson

A combination of wind direction, fuel load and moisture, topography, and fire effects objectives are considered when developing the ignitions plan. Drip torches, as seen in the hands of these fire stewards, are used to implement the plan and start a conversation, of sorts, between fire, the site and fuels, and fire stewards. Image: Lane Johnson

A combination of wind direction, fuel load and moisture, topography, and fire effects objectives are considered when developing the ignitions plan. Drip torches, as seen in the hands of these fire stewards, are used to implement the plan and start a conversation, of sorts, between fire, the site and fuels, and fire stewards. Image: Lane Johnson

An active prescribed burn program provides a learning environment for present and future fire stewards, including CFANS students and professionals from across the region. The Department of Forest Resource’s Advanced Field Session brings field silviculture students to CFC each spring and the timing of the Otter Creek unit burn coincided with their class session. Image: Marcella Windmuller-Campione

An active prescribed burn program provides a learning environment for present and future fire stewards, including CFANS students and professionals from across the region. The Department of Forest Resource’s Advanced Field Session brings field silviculture students to CFC each spring and the timing of the Otter Creek unit burn coincided with their class session. Image: Marcella Windmuller-Campione

Smoke settles across the Camp 8 burn unit on September 28, 2024 as the warm day cools off into night. Diligent preparation of burn unit perimeters and sub-unit fire breaks, like this one, keeps planned burns contained and makes for a successful and safe prescribed burn operation. Image: Kyle Gill

Smoke settles across the Camp 8 burn unit on September 28, 2024 as the warm day cools off into night. Diligent preparation of burn unit perimeters and sub-unit fire breaks, like this one, keeps planned burns contained and makes for a successful and safe prescribed burn operation. Image: Kyle Gill