Prescribed Burn at Karner Blue Sanctuary!

The Karner Blue Sanctuary is a property in Port Franks, owned by Lambton Wildlife Inc. I volunteered to assist with limiting trail access to hikers, but was invited to take photos of the burn process. Controlled burns are used as a management tool to restore and preserve rare native plant communities, including Oak Savannah. When properties are not managed, tree growth shades out savannah and prairie plants which are important to the fauna of the area. No one really knows for sure how many years have passed since the property last had a burn, so it was long overdue.

Local neighbours were informed months ahead of the burn. Signs were posted on the day of the burn when conditions were thought to be favourable. However, after a 3 hour wait, wind gusts prevented things from going ahead on April 24th.

Tree growth filling in the dune area.

Supplies provided by the contracted company.

Lambton Wildlife is solely run by volunteers and does not have the resources to organize a prescribed burn. The Nature Conservancy of Canada was the lead on the project. They contracted the burn to Wildlife Specialists Inc. In the photo, the ATV driver, who was the burn boss, wets the trail ahead of a team member, forcing the fire to travel away from the trail.

Lots and lots and lots of smoke!

Once the perimeter was lit, workers backtracked to ensure the fire stayed away from the trail.

Nature Conservancy of Canada Staff checking trails.

The Walpole Island Fired Department was awarded the water contract for the burn. They kept the water tanks full throughout the day.

A fire broom is used to knock down flames when necessary.

A Drone was used to photograph the burn site.

ATV carrying water supply. 

Final burn block (of 3)! We were able to leave after the last flames were out. However the crew from Wildlife Specialists stayed until dusk and returned the following morning to watch for any problem areas that can occur inside stumps and logs.