Times Observer file photo by Brian Ferry Firefighters obscured by heat haze keep their eyes on the main body of a prescribed burn last spring in Irvine. Five burns are planned for this spring, weather and conditions permitting.

The U.S. Forest Service has planned several prescribed fires over 446 acres of the Allegheny National Forest this spring.

When those burns will be undertaken is not yet clear.

“We do not have exact dates yet. Our operations are weather dependent, and we will implement prescribed fires at the optimal time to achieve the best results,” Public Affairs Officer Christopher Leeser said.

There are five separate project areas and all are located in Warren County.

The largest, dubbed Izenbrown, is 299 acres located on the east bank of the Allegheny River north of Tidioute.

The four remaining locations include two in the vicinity of Jakes Rocks as well as smaller areas in Watson Twp. and Pleasant Twp.

The burns come with a series of objectives ranging from wildfire fuel reduction to forest health and ecosystem management.

“Fires are a historic and natural process for some ecosystems in the Allegheny National Forest, grasslands and oak-hickory forests are two prime examples,” Leeser said. “Oak-hickory forests, which comprise approximately 16 percent of the Forest, require periodic fires to reduce competing undesirable vegetation, recycle soil nutrients and stimulate the increased production of acorns, blueberries, blackberries, and other mast crops.”

That then brings a wealth of benefits to wildlife including deer, turkey, butterflies and grouse, among others.

“Prescribed fires also reduce the amount of hazardous fuels that, when left unburned, can lead to uncontrolled wildfires that could threaten human life and property,” he said.

Leeser said local communities would be notified 24 to 48 hours prior to ignition.

“To keep community members well informed during the burns, we will post road signs, road guards, and information on our social media channels,” Leeser said. “We conduct prescribed fires with the safety of the public and firefighters as the highest priority.”

As a result, the conditions have to be right for these burns to move ahead.

“We use fire as a tool only when the parameters of our approved burn plan are met, including wind speed and direction, relative humidity, temperature, fire danger, seasonal restrictions, and mitigation of potential smoke impacts,” he explained.