Burn Information

Between April 11 and April 17, 2006, the Shawangunk Ridge Biodiversity
Partnership successfully conducted prescribed burns in 5 fields at
the Mohonk Preserve’s Spring Farm.
© Mohonk Preserve

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Burn Information

2011 Burn Window
Between the dates of April 1 and December 15, 2011, the Shawangunk Ridge Biodiversity Partnership is planning to conduct prescribed burns in old fields and oak forest at Mohonk Preserve and oak forest areas at Sam’s Point Preserve. Burns are targeted for the spring (April, May, June) and late summer/early fall (August-November), however burns can occur at any time during the year. The specific dates, locations and times of the burns are dependent on weather and other conditions. Burn crews will be made up of specially trained volunteers and staff from various agencies and organizations, including The Nature Conservancy, Mohonk Preserve, the Albany Pine Bush Preserve, Minnewaska State Park Preserve, NYS Department of Environmental Conservation, and the Student Conservation Association.

The prescribed burns currently planned for Mohonk Preserve range from 3 to 60 acres in size. The burn units are near the Spring Farm and Oakwood Drive/Home Farm areas of Mohonk Preserve (towns of Marbletown, Rochester and New Paltz). The prescribed burn unit at Sam’s Point Preserve is 6 acres in size, and lies near the Sam’s Point Conservation Center in the town of Wawarsing. The goal of these burns is to improve forest health and reduce accumulations of flammable debris in the forest that can lead to more intense forest fire.

NYS DEC Open Burning Restrictions
In October 2009, NYS DEC passed new regulations regarding open burning. These new regulations prohibit the burning of brush piles between the dates of March 16 and May 14 of any given year, due to the increased risk of wildfires to occur during this time. Prescribed burns are not subject to this restriction due to the numerous safety precautions and careful planning that is involved, and prescribed burns may occur at any time when weather and other conditions permit.