Tuesday, April 5 2022 Prescribed Burn in Mashpee Pine Barrens

NOTIFICATION:  MassWildlife is conducting a prescribed fire on Tuesday April 5. 2022, at Mashpee Pine Barrens Wildlife Management Area (WMA) in the Town of Mashpee. The prescribed fire operations will be conducted in accordance with MassDEP Approval # 4F06007, which is valid through December 31, 2022.     

The prescribed fire operations are planned within woodland units in the northern portion of the WMA (north of Red Brook Road).  This prescribed burn will be conducted for ecological management to improve wildlife habitat, reduce hazardous fuels, and provide wildland fire training. The burn will be conducted by MassWildlife in collaboration with MassDCR Fire Control – District 1, the Mashpee Fire Department, Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe, and US Fish and Wildlife Service. Alex Entrup of MassWildlife will be the RxB2 burn boss of record for this operation.   

Conditions permitting on the day of the burn, ignition operations will occur between 9:00 and 17:00. We are likely to burn between one to several units, depending on weather, fuel conditions, and our ability to safely meet prescribed fire objectives. Our primary targets are woodland Units B2, D, and a portion of Unit E. We burned Units A2 and B3 last week, as shown in the attached map. We have been in communication with Chief Rullo and other prescribed fire programs in the area to coordinate prescribed fire activities within the surrounding airshed. We will follow guidance within the permit, make necessary notifications/obtain permissions and monitor the burn very closely.

Caren Caljouw

Prescribed Fire Program Manager

Massachusetts Division Fisheries & Wildlife