HERON BAY – Parks Canada is planning to conduct a 1-hectare experimental fire in Pukaskwa National Park’s Hattie Cove area on Monday, May 14th, weather permitting. The service states, “The Hattie Cove Prescribed Fire has been carefully planned and will not proceed unless weather, fire behaviour, and public safety conditions are met. Pukaskwa National Park fire experts will ensure that extreme caution is taken to protect life and property within and around the park”.
For safety reasons, the general public and park visitors will be restricted from entering the Hattie Cove campground area during the operation, which will take 3-4 hours to complete. Information and updates regarding the timing of the Hattie Cove Prescribed Fire will be available at www.parkscanada.gc.ca/pukaskwa under the “What’s New” section. You can also follow Pukaskwa on Twitter at twitter.com/#!/pukaskwanp
The purpose of the fire is to provide an accessible site for visitors to see how a forest is generated over time. After the area has burned, park visitors will easily witness, from year-to-year, the growth of new species, the enhanced habitat created by fire, and other positive natural effects at the fire site. Through new interpretive programs, Pukaskwa National Park will engage visitors to learn about fire management and the role of fire in healthy forest ecosystems.
Fire is an essential and natural process in the boreal forest. Parks Canada uses prescribed fires to promote biodiversity. Prescribed fires are one way that Pukaskwa National Park ensures that the health of the park’s boreal forest ecosystem is protected for the appreciation and enjoyment of present and future generations.