The U.S. Forest Service is planning a prescribed burn for this fall at Jakes Rocks.

The burn is one of two planned for this fall, with the other at the Spring Creek area in Elk County.

According to a statement from the ANF, staff “have identified ecosystem management and wildfire fuels reduction projects” for those areas.

Debra-Ann Brabazon, public affairs officer for the ANF, told the Times Observer that she’s unsure when the fires will take place.

“Prescribed fires are a historic and natural process of several ecosystems on the Allegheny National Forest, such as grass lands and and oak/hickory forests,” the statement said. “Oak/hickory forests, which comprise approximately 16 percent of the Allegheny NationaL Forest, required periodic fires to reduce competing vegetation, recycle soil nutrients and stimulate the increased production of nuts and berries, such as blueberries and blackberries.”

They highlight several corresponding benefits for wildlife.

“Wildlife species, such as white-tailed deer, turkey, butterflies, songbirds, grouse, snakes and turtles use burned areas for cover, warming and a place to raise their young. In addition, prescribed fires reduce hazardous fuels, which can lead to uncontrolled wildfires.”

A host of factors will shape whether these fires take place — approval of a prescribed fire burn plan, appropriate staffing, environmental parameters, wind speed, direction, humidity, temperature and potential smoke impacts, among others.

“The plans,” per the ANF, “take into consideration and address a variety of ecological concerns and agency policies.”

Updates will be posted on the ANF’s social media platform to notify the public when a burn may be occurring.