HECTOR, N.Y. (AP) Officials plan to burn 30 acres of the Finger Lakes National Forest to clear overgrown brush and grass and restore declining wildlife habitat.
U.S. Forest Service personnel will use prescribed fire in parts of the 16,000-acre national forest that have been identified as critical wildlife habitat. The controlled burns are planned within the next two weeks, depending on weather conditions.
Burn sites have already been prepared with control lines to keep fires within the designated areas. The Forest Service says smoke may be visible to nearby residents and may briefly impact adjacent roads.
Signs will be posted if it's necessary to temporarily close any forest roads or trails.
The Finger Lakes National Forest is on a ridge between Seneca and Cayuga lakes. It's the only national forest in New York.
