Delta Co. firemen train on a controlled burn

Governor Rick Snyder has dubbed this week Arson Awareness Week.  But, Upper Michigan fire crews are also on the job, looking to prevent forest and brush fires this spring.

At a home along M–35 in Gladstone, firemen from Gladstone Public Safety were on the job this week -with a controlled burn. The prescribed grass fire is an important management tool to maintain native grassland communities.

Several firemen worked to set the dry grass on fire while others helped to spread the fire and be at the ready with a fire hose in case the blaze reared up.

The controlled burn not only provides a training opportunity for the firemen, but it also helps remove grass and dead vegetative build–up that could quickly spread a brush fire.  According to the Department of Natural Resources, it also helps promote re-growth of warm season plants.