You might hear that and wonder why, but there is a very good reason.

So You're Telling Me New York Really Does This?

Yes, they do. Every now and then, all across New York State, Forest Rangers with a very special set of skills actually will engulf certain areas in fire. While it may seem a bit odd, it actually helps the ecosystem.

Not all fires are negative events. Prescribed fire is a tool used to manage fire dependent ecosystems in a manner that develops a resilient natural balance of fire in the desired vegetation. These fires are regulated by law and regulation and require technical expertise to conduct the burns safely. - New York State Department of Environmental Conservation

 

There Are Other Reasons New York Does This

That, my friend, is a tick. The DEC also says a prescribed burn will reduce the tick population. Ticks are certainly a nagging problem New York has, and seemingly gets worse every year, so if this is a result, we should be all for the Empire State doing this.

Another byproduct of the prescribed burns is seeing invasive plant species destroyed, which again is a pro.

Meet The Folks Who Do This For A Living

Prescribed burns also can help some native species, including nesting birds, have a better habitat. They reduce the likelihood of uncontrollable  wild fires as well.

While it may seem odd that New York does this, obviously there are some really good reasons.