Ottawa County Parks to conduct prescribed burn demonstration live at Hemlock Crossing
Ottawa County Parks and Recreation will give the public an up-close look at habitat management in action during a free "Learn and Burn" prescribed fire demonstration on Wednesday, Sept. 23.
WEST OLIVE — Ottawa County Parks and Recreation will give the public an up-close look at habitat management in action during a free "Learn and Burn" prescribed fire demonstration on Wednesday, Sept. 23.
Hosted at Hemlock Crossing from noon to 3 p.m., the open-house-style event offers visitors a chance to safely observe a live burn while learning how controlled fire supports local ecosystems.
"Many of Michigan's native habitats evolved with fire and still depend on it," said Tyler Allyn-White, Stewardship Supervisor and Certified Prescribed Burn Manager for Ottawa County Parks and Recreation. "Prescribed fire is carefully planned and managed to restore these habitats, reduce invasive plants, and encourage native plants to return from the seed bank."
Attendees can drop in throughout the afternoon to view equipment, explore interactive stations, meet the county's burn crew, and watch the live burn with real-time commentary from staff.
Event schedule:
- Noon-12:30 p.m.: Info tables, equipment demos, and staff Q&A
- 12:30-1 p.m.: Burn overview and crew briefing
- 1-2 p.m.: Live prescribed fire demonstration with real-time interpretation
- 2-3 p.m.: Equipment demos and Q&A resume
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Because controlled burns rely strictly on favorable wind and atmospheric conditions, the schedule is weather-dependent. If conditions force a cancellation on Sept. 23, the event will be moved to Friday, Oct. 9.
Event Details:
- Location: Hemlock Crossing, 8115 West Olive Road, West Olive
- Cost: Free; pre-registration available at bit.ly/4A00Sdj
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