Weather Wreaks Havoc on Prescribed Burn Near Detroit River

The United States Fish and Wildlife Service is planning a series of controlled burns for the Strong Unit in Monroe County and might burn a small portion of the Humbug Marsh Unit that lies both in Gibraltar and Trenton if the weather cooperates.

“The burns will be conducted to improve wildlife habitat in coastal wetlands, targeting areas infested with invasive giant reed (called) Phragmites australis,” said Steve Dushane, assistant manager for the Detroit River International Wildlife Refuge.

Each year, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service prescribes fire as a management tool to improve habitat conditions.

“Areas of nonnative invasive species are targeted to remove fuels to allow native plant seeds a chance to germinate and re-establish themselves,” said Dushane. “Since having an approved burn plan, the Detroit River International Wildlife Refuge has been unable to burn due to improper wind and weather conditions.”

If weather continues to interfere with plans to eliminate the invasive reed, then the poor-quality wetland conditions will remain the same.

“Wetlands that have phragmites present, but still have some high-quality native wetland plants remaining, will eventually see phragmites outcompete those native plants to become a single species strand of phragmites,” added Dushane. “The decrease in plant diversity will ultimately result in a loss of habitat for most wetland-dependent animal species.”

All burns will be conducted by trained U.S. Fish and Wildlife fire professionals within the parameters of the approved burn plans in which all safety issues have been addressed.

For more information, contact Dushane at the Detroit River International Wildlife Refuge, (734) 692-7604.