If you are on the west side of Portage today and you see a lot of smoke, don't be too concerned. The smoke is from a planned prescribed fire designed to protect local wildlife and restore native forest habitat.
The Michigan Department of Natural Resources is conducting a 62-acre controlled burn at the Gourdneck State Game Area, located on a swamp island between U.S. 131 and Shaver Road.
Portage City Manager Patrick McGinnis says the burn will be sizable and visible depending on wind direction. He noted the fire could send smoke over along Shaver Road toward the area behind businesses up and down the road.
State crews are doing it to control invasive species and underbrush, which will encourage new growth and provide critical habitat for wildlife. City Manager McGinnis said the 62 acre burn will benefit the oak forest for deer and turkey and possibly other species like box turtle.
Residents may see smoke rising and notice DNR vehicles working in the area, adjacent to US-131 near Vanderbilt Road.
The DNR says this is the first of two prescribed burns they are planning over the next few months in the game area.
Prescribed burns are a common forest management tool. They use fire deliberately to improve ecosystem health by removing dead vegetation, reducing invasive plant species, and promoting native plant growth. The controlled fire creates better conditions for wildlife to thrive.
This particular burn targets invasive species that threaten the natural balance of the oak forest. By removing these invasive plants, the burn will allow native species to flourish and provide better habitat for local wildlife including deer, turkey, and box turtles.
The burn is weather permitting, meaning DNR crews will monitor conditions closely to ensure safety before and during the operation.